Coup D'état
"She's got a house-big heart where we all live
And plead and counsel and forgive"
(Nick Cave, West Country Girl)
A bolt of purple lightning shook the earth. Brown patches of dirt jumped in the air, and booming sounds of dismay suddenly filled the void. Rikku hid behind a grey-shaded tree, flattening herself against its empty trunk, now out of breath, scared and shaky.
The mountain, tall as a God, was screaming. It spoke words of earthquakes and armageddons, threats that the Al Bhed girl understood oh-so-well; it was as if they shared a language; as if they belonged to the same existential sphere. Beings. Pure beings, shaking in fear.
Running for miles all around, the naked earth offered no shelter whatsoever. Far away in the distance, Rikku could spot the sea, black waters reflecting the ray of reddish light that the peak of the mountain was now erupting.
The blonde gathered her courage and started to make her way through the barren land, up and up, to reach the peak. The mountain will grant me access. It wants me to find it.
Another lightning fell to the ground, shattering rocks and reshaping cliffs. Rikku woke up.
Chapter 9 - words carried by the wind
"despite knowing
they won't be here for long
they still choose to live
their brightest lives
- sunflowers"
(Rupi Kaur, The Sun and Her Flowers)
Bevelle stood in all its austerity before Gippal's green eyes. Its high buildings danced towards the sky, writhing in odd architectures that seemed to challenge the Gods. It smelled of Yevon, and to him, Yevon smelled of fakery.
An Al Bhed will always feel out of place in this city, he thought, constructing a wall of defence made of sarcasm around his anxiety. These yevonites are stiff, dangerous and sneaky. Don't they need sunlight? Shoopuf-fuckers. I hate these buildings, I hate these walls.
So he walked secondary routes, through alleys and backstreets filled with rubbish, rats and beggars. When the rich are richer, the poor get poorer too… The smell of alcohol enveloped his senses, and his eyes were attracted to wisps of black smoke that raised from a few inflamed rubbish cans. Bevelle was cold, cruelly so.
He found the backdoor to New Yevon's headquarters; it was Nooj's favourite entrance; the man didn't like to meet people on his way to business meetings, and Gippal, whose mood was black at that very moment, could understand him now. Did Nooj feel like this all the time? Sad sack.
Getting in was easy, Baralai's men were expecting him; he didn't even ask himself how that was possible; travelling by airship was by far the most flashing way of getting anywhere. Especially when your people are the only ones to actually have airships.
"Sir! Master Baralai awaits you in the Undergrounds!"
Of course.
"Cool, I know the way."
The other guard scratched his head, and the tone of the first one became hesitant, as he insisted, "Sir! We were commanded to escort you there!"
He is young, be nice. You were in his position once.
Gippal rolled his eyes, "Escort me there, whatever…"
The walk to the Undergrounds was shorter than expected, as Baralai was smart enough to install lifts in the base. The headquarters were also heavily controlled by many camera spheres, Gippal noticed, his keen senses naturally sharpening in the heart of New Yevon. He knew that Baralai's group was nothing like the second half of its name, but as Lukans used to say, old habits die hard. He trusted the white-haired man with his life, but he couldn't say the same of Baralai's buddies. Why the cameras? Was Bevelle in danger? He counted 24 simply in the corridor from the entrance to the elevators.
The lift's doors opened, and Gippal was left alone. He walked on the metal bridge towards the central platform; the air was dry, and smelled of iron; it was difficult to see clearly, not only because of the dark but also because of the many yevonite inscriptions that shined on walls and pavements. Blue, red and white lights flashed, and many coiling spiral paths made him dizzy. One could walk forever without finding a way out, here.
He hated the place, and this time not because of his bad mood. He just hated it. Who wouldn't? How many lives were taken in this very spot? How many people died of hunger, unjustly and prematurely judged in their cells? And everything because of some wannabe-gods that treated the rest of the world as ants, playing with them, breeding them in a nest purposely built to give them fake comfort? Walls made of fear, and hopes constructed on death…
Gippal felt a little better only when he spotted Baralai's figure. The main platform of Bevelle's Undergrounds, once the lair of Vegnagnun and the tomb of Shuyin and Lenne, was now an operative station, filled with beeping machinas. He was excited anytime he got near that big cryptic wall of pulsing technology. It was sexy.
"Gippal!" Baralai was sitting on an uncomfortable-looking chair by the main computer; a long circular table with many workstations ran around the space. The Neoyevonite turned toward the Al Bhed and flashed him a smile, "I couldn't help but notice your dislike for main entrances…"
"Hey, Preator, how's your chaste life goin'?"
Baralai smirked, "One would think that friends would know you better…"
"Yes, I know, I know, New Yevon was all a façade to abolish old mopey celibate…"
They were friends, even if sometimes Gippal forgot it. Especially now that their lives seemed so distant, so different.
"What brings you here?" Baralai's tone got serious.
Gippal pointed at the many screens behind his friend's back, "I think you know already".
The white-haired's face darkened with worry, "You intercepted the signal too?"
Gippal nodded, "Yes, and I was wondering if you had any other information to share".
"I know that it is located in the Omega area, but that's not much of a help. After Yuna's battle with Sin, the whole archipelagos reunited and now the area is much bigger than it used to be, as new lands re-emerged from the sea. Old Maechen thinks that magic has to do with it, but no one really knows… Either way, it's impossible to locate the signal's precise source from such a distance, even with Zanarkand's tech…"
Baralai turned towards the screens, his face lit by the blue lights of the monitors. Gippal sat next to him and examined the readings.
"What do you think it is?"
Baralai's eyebrows furrowed, "I can tell you that it's powerful and different from any other source of energy Spira has ever seen".
Gippal pressed a few keys and enlarged the pixelled image of the Omega area. It was all red. The waves detected were so strong that seemed to reach the sky without diminishing their intensity. But the signal was uniform, impossible to trace.
"I can tell you more than that!" a third voice interrupted the two, and the sound of a walking cane tapping on metal filled the large room. Nooj was walking towards them with a smug, sarcastic look (or, as Gippal thought, his usual sad sack face).
"Look who's here instead of enjoying his premature retirement…" Gippal teased and grinned when Nooj lifted an eyebrow, annoyed.
Baralai greeted the ex-Youth League leader with a bow of his head. Nooj had the unnerving characteristic of inspiring respect; it was a natural gift, and it had always been that way, even among their peers in the past. He had been the de facto leader of the Crimson Squad.
Baralai often joked that he would've made a perfect yevonite. But he had a fire in him, and a rebellious one; in fact, Gippal always joked that he would've made a perfect Al Bhed. But Nooj was neither.
He was a modern, nihilistic man, regarded by his followers as a philosopher, and almost revered as Mi'ihen's very reincarnation.
He approached his two comrades and sighed, sarcastic "You two. I knew you couldn't stay out of trouble."
"Save your patronizing tone for your followers and tell us what you know!" Gippal was even more impatient now. Was the energy source a menace? He needed to know. He needed to keep his people safe.
"Is there anyone else in here?" Nooj whispered to Baralai.
"No,"
"Is there anyone else watching what's happening in here?"
Baralai sighed, then turned to the workstation and pressed a few keys, "Not now."
Gippal exchanged a look of understanding with Nooj. Yevonites…
"The Youth League is no more, as you know. But that doesn't mean my dedication to researching the truth is extinguished," Nooj started.
"I was travelling in the Macalania Woods for I had an audience with the wood people, who asked for my advice more than once already. One night I was camping on the eastern shores when I saw something glittering in the sea. A sphere. I had not known of the energy source at the time, but now I think of this sphere as an important piece of the puzzle,"
Nooj fished a glowy sphere from his satchel. Gippal and Baralai both instinctively leaned towards the man. Nooj played it.
A young-looking man with a blue cape and long light-brown hair appeared, but he was barely visible: the video and audio were severely glitched, so they couldn't hear very well nor see the whereabouts of the speaker.
"—-BZbzzz —-
I… I don't know if you'll get thi- Bzzz-zzzz
You've got to help us! We are stuck! It's—- bbzzzzz
The –BZbzzb– Bhed— - - She will know wh–BzzzZ - we have a pl– - - BZzzzz- the poi–bbzZzzZ -
Follow the energy source– - - - I hop– - - not to late- - -
She needs to get here!"
The sphere suddenly stopped. A coat of silence descended on the three.
Cid was a practical man; he heard of danger, he moved to defend what he loved the most. He was very practical also with what he loved, which could be easily reduced to his people, his family and his machinas.
X'anu had spoken to him, while his little one was in a poison-induced coma, of what the desert fighters knew of the energy source. The whole story sounded like absolute nonsense to him, but he had been given no time to digest it; he had to act, and fast. Maechen (who lately had acted as his most trusted counsellor) thought the same and helped him gather intel and people for his long, unknown mission.
He had made his travel plan in less than two hours and prepared to leave the island at the last minute, without even having the time to say goodbye (and good luck) to his Rikku. It may be better this way. She would ask him lots of questions, and what he precisely lacked, at the moment, were answers. Cid was the kind of man that hated to speak for speech's sake and, during the Board of the last days, how much of that he had been forced to endure!
X'anu had told him he would meet the Old Man by the decks, and that he would tell him what to do next. Not the ideal scenario; to leave without yet knowing his purpose was enough to make him yell at any Al Bhed on his way. But the thought of meeting him, the Old Man, of all people, was crazy enough to make him so worried and surprised to be quiet.
His airship was ready to depart, and he was indulging in one last Al Bhed cig when he saw the Old Man approaching. The bald man's hands trembled. His cigar fell onto the metallic pavement of the decks, and a manic laughter erupted from him, followed by an Al Bhed shout "It's really you, motherfucker!".
The Old Man and Cid resembled each other, even though the former looked taller; he wore a weird yellow tunic, and his hands were big and calloused. The Old Man laughed as well and his green, swirly fox-like eyes squeezed in joy, "I'd never thought I'd see you again, boy!"
Cid's smiled, fond, "In dire times we meet, I am told! But you're here to help!"
"Yes, yes, whatever!" the Old Man squatted and took Cid's cigar from the floor; he lighted it with a snap of his fingers and inhaled the smoke before continuing, "I have not much time, Cidàra. Listen well and open your dirty monkey ears, or else I won't be able to help you, your people or your daughter…!"
Cid gulped dramatically, closed his hands in a fist and nodded. He would do anything the Old Man told him if it meant his daughter's and his people's safety.
Getting back to everyday chores was just capital-B-Boring! At least someone was happy: her young assistant, Shiruba, was more than excited about Rikku's return.
"Boss! Ya have the meeting with Luka's trade committee today!"
Rikku's desk was already twice as heavy with papers. Shiruba diligently sorted them by importance and topic. Her main interest was now in concluding the treaty for the eastern sea's trade route; she had been warned that no progress was made in her absence, as spirans were reluctant to compromise; then her father left for some unknown important business in Zanarkand. Weird.
"Were you there during the meetings, Shiruba?"
The young girl stopped her frantic paper selection and lifted her eyes, nodding, "Yes ma'am, as you requested! I spent hours listening to aaaall of their squabbles!"
Rikku laughed, "Lots of 'em?"
"Hm-hm. At one point Old Murthe had to leave the room, I think she was having a rage-induced stroke!"
Oh my. "And my father?"
Shiruba blushed, "Ehmmm…"
"Was he the cause of the debates?"
Shiruba scratched her head, embarrassed. It was already an answer to Rikku. Her father had tons of qualities as a leader, but diplomacy had never been his strongest feature, she knew. And if his strong ways were perfect in the past, with the Al Bhed marginalized from the continent's life, now Bikanel needed to reinvent its foreign policies. Damn, they needed to create 'em.
She sighed. She couldn't understand her father, lately. As soon as she was back on her feet he left, without even giving her time to question him about the poison. Did he know that Maechen found traces of Eftinan in her blood? Was that the reason why he left? To investigate?
"Did Gippal send any official message about his mission in Bevelle?" Rikku asked.
"No reports, no…"
"Hm."
Everyone's gone at the worst moment. Perfect.
She had to research the whole poison matter on her own now. And soon, she guessed.
"Are you worried, boss?"
Rikku chewed her bottom lip. Of course, she was worried. Her father, the only Pollendina descendant able to help her (Brother didn't know much about anything, to tell you the truth), was gone almost in secrecy for some obscure reason; her second in charge was somewhere in Bevelle, and out of touch, hopefully learning about the energy source. What a leader she was, not even having control over her people! She felt forlorn.
Of course she was worried! But there was no point in worrying anyone else, even though the girl seemed to understand her better and better with the passing of each day. Definitely the best assistant ever.
"No, I actually advised him to use discretion with this one. Keep me informed if he gets in touch". You're getting good at bluffing, little Rikku!
"I'll be on the ball, boss!" Shiruba wriggled in her chair.
Rikku laughed affectionately, "Who taught you that expression?"
"Sir Wantz, miss! The merchant!"
"I see you're enjoying the sudden flow of foreign visitors. It's good, you'll learn a lot. Never been to Spira other than Besaid, right?"
"Nah-ah, never"
"You would definitely love Luka"
Shiruba's eyes glinted with enthusiasm as she began questioning anything, from boats to food, up to the clothing fashion of lukans.
She missed having the girl around. But suddenly something clouded her assistant's look, and she became absent. She seemed to be thinking very hard.
Rikku let her be and returned to her papers. Shiruba was a deeper girl than she would've liked others to know. Well, I guess I'm getting to know her too.
"Ma'am…"
"Hm?"
"That man… Faram."
Rikku's eyes rose from the busy desk. "What about him?"
"I think I heard him speak."
"Oh."
"At first I thought it was just my wacky imagination making it up because I was so very curious! Y'know, the man's a walking mystery! But I think I heard him speak to Wantz," the tiny blonde nervously bit her thumb's nail.
Faram… Rikku often thought of her secretive saviour in the last few days, but she had been so busy and tried to shoo away any thought of the man. To be completely honest, she felt weird since she examined Maechen's scroll. Frightened, even, by the cryptic pictures.
She had instantly felt that he was on the island not by chance, but for an important reason, and the scroll only confirmed her instinct.
"Silence vows are private matters, Shiruba. The man can speak, he just chose not to. Just like that, he probably chose to communicate with Sir Wantz only. It's not our business."
"B-but… why?"
Rikku scrolled her shoulders, "Don't know, don't care".
She cared. She cared a lot, for some reason. Who was he? Why he was depicted by her side on a thousand years old prophecy scroll? Was it really him, in the said scroll? Did he know anything about what was going on in the Omega area? What was she supposed to do? Did he have any answer about the Eftinan poison?
She wished that Gippal was here, that Cid hadn't left in a hurry.
She spent the next half an hour running her eyes through papers absent-mindedly. Was she failing at being a leader? Did her father see too much in her? Maybe she was still just a kid, passively carried by the events of history. Maybe she had never really played a real, significant role in all the adventures she had taken part in. Like a secondary character… the comic relief.
But… no! Who was this loser that lived in her mind? It was time for action! No more elucubration! She had never waited for any man to help her out, so why start now? She was no comic relief! She had fought for what she thought was the right way of living, for her family, the world, and herself!
Was she not Rikku of Bikanel?! It wasn't her business if others didn't see her as a rightful leader! She would become one! And to start that she needed to act.
"Shiruba! I need to take care of something! Move the meeting with the merchants to this evening! Tell 'em something, do anything, organize a dinner to keep them calm! Spirans love dinners, won't complain!"
"B-but! Miss!" the girl stood agape.
Rikku got up from her chair with a quick jump and started to make her way towards the door, "I trust you! If you hear anything from my pops or Gippal, send the signal to my sphere," she grabbed the blue communication device from her desk and tossed it in her bag.
No more waiting for things to unravel. This is my story.
Oh, man, I sound like Tidus. Yuck.
The previous days' discoveries and the conversation with X'anu fired Auron's curiosity even more. Though keeping a low profile, he tried to investigate the meaning of the Eftinan poison's resurfacing. Fortunately, Wantz's reputation among the Al Bheds was very good, and so, by his intercession, Auron was granted entrance to the Desert Library.
He would've expected the Al Bhed, as technology-oriented people, to digitalize their history texts and inscriptions, but what he found instead was the epitome of a "library": thick, dusty books over books, raising to the ceiling of a pinky salt cave. He had seen many places in his lives, but this one possessed a mesmerizing beauty, and it felt old in a primordial, atavic way.
Rose-coloured crystal walls shimmered, reflecting bluish hues and refractions. The books rested in spiralling structures carved in the cave itself. It looked like a view from his childhood; an illustration he caught a glimpse of in his father's books.
And so he began studying. Of course, the majority of the texts were written in Al Bhed, but fortunately, he knew the basics. He was so immersed in his readings of Al Bhed mythology and past, that days and nights went on quickly.
In his research he was aided by an old woman; she was Old Murthe of the Desert Fighters, who often spent her afternoons in the library. It was she who recounted to Auron the story of the Nunalie, a tribal ritual of death and rebirth based on the sacrifice of young blood. As usual, Auron stood silent, honouring the fake vow of silence as if it was a truthful one.
Old Murthe was a kind woman, resolute in her spirit and very wise. He couldn't understand why, but she seemed decided in helping him in any way possible. Auron had the feeling that she knew more than she cared for him to know, but the warrior didn't push her to reveal more. Her demeanour left no space for intrusion, so he let her be. And, then again, he had played her same role for almost ten years, once.
It was on the third day of his studies that the desert fighter came to him with an unusual gift.
"I cannot bear to see you wear this old, heavy mantle," she said, austere, "you're in Bikanel, now, lad, and so I brought you the silks…"
She handed him a small bundle; in it, he found a blue robe.
"Go wear it, I'll wait here," behind her pragmatic façade the woman hid a deep gentleness.
It fitted perfectly; the fabric, which seemed so lightweight, was so carefully manufactured that it was deemed ideal both for the scorching sun of the desert day and for the freezing nights and sandy winds. The robes were long and fell to his feet, while his features were still hidden by a headcloth of the same indigo hue. The colour, in truth, was indescribable. Seen from a certain angle it reflected three different shades of blue, but if you turned it just a little it became a vibrant green.
Auron didn't know how to thank the venerable woman, so he did what his cultural roots told him to do: a yevonite bow. It felt strange - he couldn't even remember the last time he had moved his hands to hold that imaginary sphere that represented faith. Maybe he had lost faith altogether, but now he could see that, although his old religion served no purpose anymore, some gestures still mattered to him. Was it a good thing? Maybe it was just a fact to live with. Murthe seemed to read through his thoughts.
"Yes, once these gestures had some good in them. You don't need to thank me, Faram. You will need these robes in your travels, soon –" Noises of a swift walk and opening of doors interrupted the woman, who continued with a small smile, "– maybe sooner than I thought."
Rikku entered the salt cave. She looked fierce, like a fighter from old tales: a yellow and teal skin-tight armour shined on her. All around her body were strapped belts of different colours and, on top of her head, Auron saw a pair of goggles. A half-skirt, orange and azure, danced with her movements. In her hand, she held a machine gun. It was an Al Bhed alchemist combat uniform.
The girl, no, the woman stopped in front of him, and for a few seconds, she just looked him straight in the eyes. Did she recognize me? Her proud eyes searched his for a few moments.
Then she turned to Murthe and spoke in Al Bhed,
"That's a Royal Guard robe."
The elder slightly bowed to her leader, "I know, commander. I assumed you would need his help."
Rikku nodded, serious, then turned to him once again.
"Faram, I need your help."
She needs my help.
Auron tilted his head quizzically. She had barely spoken to him since their last encounter in the desert, and now she came to him for help. It didn't make any sense. Maybe she recognized him and was playing his game all along, but that seemed too much of a stretch to Auron. Yes, she wasn't anymore the girl he used to know, but she would confront him. Maybe even get mad at him for keeping his return a secret. No, she didn't recognize him.
Then why seek his help? He wished he could speak to her, but with any passing second, his vow seemed more and more important to hold.
Rikku perceived his doubts and signalled him to follow her, "I will tell you everything, but will you help me?" she asked impatiently.
Auron nodded.
Rikku smiled.
"Thank you," she said to Old Murthe.
"Be careful, little one. The place you seek hides many trials, and you will find more than just yourself."
"How do you know where I am headed? How do you know I would've sought his help?"
Murthe smiled motherly, "You will have to trust your elders on this matter, my commander. The scroll you saw, it was me who found it."
The scroll? Which scroll? Auron listened, intrigued and vaguely irritated by his lack of information.
"Be fierce, Rikku," continued the elder, "and be careful, for there's no way back from now on."
"I will, Old Murthe."
Rikku saluted the woman, and Auron bowed once more, then followed the young commander towards the exit.
"I'll explain along the way," she said.
The girl walked fast. Her aura was different from their previous encounters; she looked imperious and determined, a high-rank commander calculating the next tactical move.
"Wantz tells me you're a warrior, and I need a travel companion for an urgent desert expedition, one too sensitive for Al Bhed eyes," she began explaining, as they strode through the New Home corridors, "well, or ears. I don't know how the saying goes".
Rikku suddenly halted, "I suppose you will need to grab your stuff in your quarters".
Auron nodded, still confused by this unexpected turn of events. They continued walking, and she picked up her briefing, "We're headed to a sacred place, one very important to my lineage: the Pollendina temple. I need to see something with my eyes."
Oh. She wants to find out more about the poison. She knows, then.
They arrived at his quarters, and Rikku stopped once again.
"I'll wait for you at the southern gate, Faram. Take anything you would bring with you in the wilderness, but stay light. It won't be an easy trip!" He nodded, and she smiled briefly, looking him straight in the eyes again. Her expression floated in doubt for a brief moment, then she left.
It was midday and barely a half hour had passed when she saw Faram walking towards her, a big two-handed sword on his shoulder. Rikku felt her heart bouncing.
What…who…
"Who gave you that!?" she exclaimed, running towards him, pointing at what - she was sure - was no less than Ashura! The Mythical-Sword-Ashura! The Red-Guy-Mythical-Sword-ASHURA!
Faram stood in silence. Of course.
"Oh for all the chocobos! Okay, you don't talk, I get it!" she exclaimed, her hands on her hips. Two men pulling a work animal by a rope forced them to walk to the side of the road, near a yellow-stoned house.
How did he even have that sword? The view of this man walking with Ashura on his shoulder… Rikku felt weird.
He gestured for her to wait, then searched for something in his satchel. He fished a small leather diary and a pen. Oh. Okay.
He scribbled something and handed her the book:
WANTZ GAVE IT TO ME.
Of course. They often sold their weapons during the pilgrimage. Rikku nodded, and started heading towards the south gate, her head light; Faram followed her. It was a hot day, and Al Bheds were very busy with their daily chores. Many saluted Rikku, and she did the same. Others whispered and pointed at Faram, curious by the rare sight of a warrior in a royal guard robe walking through the mayhem of the midday Baazar.
Auron felt disoriented by the noises around him; merchants screamed their prices and buyers replied publicly, yelling their counter-offers. His view was drunk with silks, spices and fruits of all kinds. He searched within himself for the usual pre-mission adrenaline spike but found nothing. Maybe he just lacked a definitive purpose.
They continued walking and, fortunately, got away from the market's chaos. Auron sighed. He still felt odd about being alive; especially in Bikanel, where life was so much louder.
"Well, if you can write you could talk as well!" the girl just couldn't let it go, "And fo' your information, to me writing still counts as breaking your vow! But okay-okay, who am I, just a humble MONARCH! As you wish!"
Auron grinned under his headcloth. She sounded like herself now, even though he could sense anxiety about the upcoming adventure from the girl. The two stopped.
They were greeted by guards, and Rikku commanded them to open the gate. They did so. In front of them, revealing itself slowly with the opening of metal doors, the desert shimmered. Fumes of hotness rose from the ground; the bluest sky one could ever witness shined bright. Rikku sighed strongly, trying to shake off any doubt.
"Let's do this."
Auron was very glad of the robes that Old Murthe gifted him. Even with those on, he still felt challenged by the hot desert sun.
They walked in silence, as Rikku mumbled directions she hoped would lead to the temple. They battled a few fiends, mostly sand wolves; Rikku's mixes took care of those, and he was glad.
His return hadn't annihilated the deep comprehension he had of fiends. After all, they were once humans who died a tragic death and couldn't be sent properly to their peace by a summoner. They were beings bound to forever roam on Spira in a neverending still-life of vanity and unconsciousness. He could feel them; he could smell their fear, their blind hate for the living. A wave of undefined pity hit him hard. He was glad that Rikku took care of them with her swirling hits, grenades and machinegun shots.
The dunes all seemed the same to Auron, but the girl seemed to be talking to the desert itself. She was naturally linked to that environment and appeared to bring life out of it. Cacti, birds with marvellous plumages and armoured insects of a deep green swarmed in the vast, infinite land of sand.
Now and then, Rikku crouched and consulted an old-looking map. Auron knew that Al Bheds placed rocks and palm trees in specific spots to keep track of the way during their travels, but still, it was impressive to see someone successfully orienting in that immense nothingness.
"It is said that the sand will get reddish to show us the right path," mumbled Rikku, handing him an Al Bhed potion, "but I've never travelled to the Temple on my own." Auron turned his back to the girl and drank the warm, curative liquid. He felt boosted.
"Do you see red sand anywhere?"
They had spent almost three hours in the desert now, and Rikku was starting to feel exhausted. Not a great idea, travelling during the hottest hours of the day. The scorching sun was beating fiercely, and the wind, a hot dusty wind, burned dry. Faram shook his head negatively. No red sand was to be seen.
"Let's stop in an Al Bhed tent and rest for a bit. No point in trying to think under the sun". Faram agreed, and Rikku showed him the way.
They walked for a few minutes uphill, until they saw a small, beige tent and a comm-sphere near it, shining bright. Rikku crawled inside and sighed, drained. Faram followed her; he looked even taller, trying to seek shelter in the small pavilion. He sat awkwardly, a weird tangle of limbs. Rikku giggled.
"I need to take these off for a sec'. Holy shoopuf I feel sticky". The girl pointed to her clothes, and Auron immediately moved to get out of the tent.
"Nahhh, don't worry, no need to run away you prude, the girl has tricks". She mumbled a few words and her whole body shimmered in a blinding light. She was… transforming? Auron witnessed the process in shock. When her figure was visible again and the light was gone, her alchemist attire had disappeared and in its place, Rikku now wore a (very) short skirt and a yellow bra; useless puffy sleeves circled her tanned arm, as well as a scarf, of which Auron saw no point at all. In fact, she immediately took it off.
She must've sensed Auron's surprise, so she explained what had just happened.
"I use dresspheres. You know of regular spheres, I suppose?"
Auron nodded, "Yup. Basically the same, but when you equip 'em on a Garment Grid the magic happens. New skills, spells and… well outfit".
Faram's eyes looked intrigued. Rikku flashed him a smile and then closed her eyes, thinking. Maybe she acted too swiftly, running off in the Desert of Bikanel like that. Red sands… She had no memory of that. A few moments passed by, during which they rested their aching bodies.
Then, she heard scribbling sounds and when she opened her eyes Faram was once again handing her his book.
THE SAND GETS RED WHEN IT HAS TRACES OF HEMATITE, IRON.
THIS MAY HAPPEN NEAR OLD ROCK FORMATIONS OR WHERE ONCE USED TO BE WATER.
The man's eyes attentively looked into hers, as if trying to connect their thoughts. Her swirling irises lighted up with energy after reading his suggestion.
"Of course! The ancient lake! We shouldn't be very far from it! High five, Faram!" She lifted her hand, but the man didn't seem to make any move. "Okay, no high five for you!" She rolled her eyes and clapped her hands together.
Auron couldn't keep himself from grinning, appreciating her airiness. He was glad he had his face covered, though.
It seemed that their travels could continue now.
Now with a path in mind, they moved on at a quicker pace. They first found the spot where ages before used to be a lake, now dry, and from there a crimson sandy path could be glimpsed. They followed it.
Rikku, now back in her alchemist attire, guided them both, dune over dune, covering her eyes with her right arm, for the wind had gotten stronger. There was a strange air, and Auron could sense it: the Danubia Desert was not fond of them, now that they roamed its ancient red dunes.
Rikku, feeling the same ominous sensation, could taste iron on her tongue. The two hadn't encountered any fiends since they ventured into this forlorn area; was it like this when she first visited the Temple, as a child? All she could recall was a regal caravan and her father's stories of antiquities and rituals. She felt lonely now.
No fiends, no voices, only the wind, red as the sand they were ploughing through. Her skin stung, her throat was hurting and her eyes began tearing. Hope was scarce, in that dry hell.
Suddenly, they heard something. Water drops, and then swishes and flows coming from what sounded like a big body of water, not too far. Possibly, and hopefully, beyond the last, towering, red dune.
Faram walked in front and offered her his arm. Her knees hurt but the man pulled her to overcome, together, the slippery promontory of sand. It had been a difficult and long hike. She saw a look of fatigue painted on how little she could see of Faram's sweaty features. But they kept pushing on, and when Rikku almost slipped, Faram held her tight by the waist, guiding her up the dune.
Once up the hill, their laboured breaths stopped in their throats at the majestic view which rewarded them for their efforts.
She had never seen it from this angle; the colossal Pollendina Temple was set into the huge rust-coloured mountain. Its red stones shone in the light of the sunset. Thick, richly carved pillars rose towards the magenta sky, anchored like trees into the desert ground; its millennial architecture swirled fiercely, and its doors looked massive from their point of observation. The building was surrounded by a pond, which rippled with pure water gushing out of the mountain from two majestic falls. The wind blew, gentle now, moving Rikku's wild hair and Faram's turquoise robes.
"It is beautiful," said Rikku, while sudden little tears anchored to her eyelashes and as her heart sang at the view of the temple, her ancestral home.
"...yes," a soft, very low whisper replied. Rikku, surprised, turned her head to look at Faram. The man lowered his face, as if ashamed.
"I think the wind carries words," added Rikku. Faram's eyes rose to meet hers, and they were full of gratitude. "Let's go," the Al Bhed said, "I don't want to spend the night in the desert."
He nodded, and they began their descent, which proved to be rather easier than the previous climb.
Auron didn't know what had gotten into him before; he had felt this sudden, irrational need to communicate his thoughts to the girl, even just with a 'yes'; a need to share the moment. He had tried to push the want down, suppress it, but in the end, it was stronger than his resolution. He felt shaken by the view of that sacred place, of those ancient walls carved in even more ancient canyons.
Descending from the dune, the ground became more similar to earth, made of small pebbles and lots of dust. Rikku looked nervous, and he couldn't blame her; the place echoed with an eerie, austere vibe. They made their way to the enormous gates, which were closed.
"What now?" the girl whispered to herself. They climbed the granitic steps to an ancient inscription written in Al Bhed language, carved right on the stone gate. Rikku read it out loud, "Prove your lineage, and enter. Uhm… how do I do that?". Next to the words, the image of an open hand was painted in faint black.
She wished Murthe would've told her what to do before she left for the temple. Why those geezers had to be all mysterious about everything? What was the point? It was her right to know how to enter the freaking shrine of her freaking dynasty! What to do now? She touched the cold stone, right where the hand was painted, but nothing seemed to happen. Next to her, Faram stood in silence, observing the doors of the temple. After a while, he walked back towards the steps and sat on them, waiting.
Maybe the temple didn't want her. Maybe she just wasn't worthy enough to enter. Heck, for all she knew she could've been adopted! Rikku felt a boiling rage wash over her.
"Vilg drec dasbma!" she cursed, kicking the entrance in a fit of fury. At that very moment, the ground began to tremble. Auron immediately stood up, and Rikku, scared, walked backwards, distancing herself from the doors. A screeching sound filled the air, and the wind raged.
The Al Bhed turned and what she saw was, to say the least, scary: a huge Zu, the biggest she ever saw in her (too short!) life, flapped its wings in the sky, making its way quickly towards them; its plumage was black, with feathers of deep fuchsia, its crimson eyes madly searched for the intruders, and its gaping mouth was already salivating, disgustingly. The beast cried out, declaring war on the two who dared to step on holy grounds.
Faram stood in combat position, ready to take the monster down, Ashura glinting in the sunset light, firm in his hands. Rikku exchanged a glance with the man, then started to run, as quickly as she could.
"You can't do much with that sword! I'll take this big guy where I'll have more space for the battle!"
Auron grunted. Tsk. What is she thinking? They needed a tactic, and they needed it soon.
The winged fiend followed the bait, causing small tornados with its wings. Rikku dodged them and kept running, fishing a smoke bomb out of her satchel while avoiding mortal blows. She threw the bomb in the air, hitting the monster, and causing it to lose sight for a while. Good one, it'll buy us time.
Auron ran towards her, who was now manically shooting the Zu with her high-tech machine gun. The fiend was livid, screeching and howling. The blindness would soon be over, and it would almost surely nosedive towards the girl and shred her to bits. She was still too far to protect. Auron had to warn her. Now.
The girl was out of breath, crouched, searching for something else in her bag. "Twin stars, twin stars, twin stars…don't tell me I left 'em home! Stupid Rikku!" she suddenly heard a high-pitched whistle and lifted her head just in time to dodge the fiend's fast attack. It barely scratched her shoulder. The next thing she knew was that she was running for her life, her arm tightly held by Faram's hand.
The man pulled her, guiding them both to curl behind a big rock. They could hear the Zu howling, just a few metres behind them.
"What are you doing?! I had everything under control!" she whispered, angry and sweaty. Faram rose his hand in front of her face, signalling her to wait. He then peeked beyond the rock. The Zu was bleeding, yes, but the damages inflicted by Rikku weren't enough to take it down. They needed to plan a combined action.
Auron returned to Rikku, and, on his knees, quickly drew a scheme on the ground. A big circle first.
"The Zu?" she asked and Faram nodded, then got back to his drawing. Rikku's eyebrows rose in anxiety: the fiend's wing strokes echoed fiercely, "You have to be quick if you still mean to remain silent!"
The next lines and dots were much more simple to understand.
"Okay, okay! You'll be the bait this time…?" Faram nodded vigorously. He gestured for an explosion, "Then… then I'll hit it, big boom, yes?!" another nod from the man. Rikku's eyes tried to read into the scheme frantically… "And you… you'll prepare an attack!". Faram's head moved to signal a no. His hand moved to mimic the fiend coming to the ground, and then a slash of his sword.
"All clear Boss! Let's do this!"
Rikku moved, ready to leave their shelter, but Auron stopped her, suddenly holding her wrist. She turned once again towards him. Be careful, he wanted to tell her.
They stared at each other for less than a second. Rikku saw his gaze's meaning as clear as if he had spoken.
"It won't catch me. Promise."
Auron nodded, then got up first, lifting Ashura upon his shoulder and bravely walking towards the Zu. The monster's agape jaws drooled viscous saliva. The warrior moved his foot to draw an invisible line on the ground in front of his enemy. The Zu detected its opponent and flew towards the man, enraged. Auron danced in circles, Ashura looking light as a feather in his hands. He felt alive, blood pumping in his veins. Here it came!
He dodged the first dive, his movements fluid as the water cascades behind them. The monster rose high and moved its wings powerfully. Auron deflected once again.
They are dancing a paso doble! Rikku thought, running in the opposite direction and rhythmically turning to see her companion duelling the almighty beast. She was astonished at his skills but had no time to stop and admire the mysterious man's sword mastership. She needed a powerful mix, and quick! Thank Yevon she was the best at it!
The big bird began flying even higher. Auron observed its movements, trying to read its next move. The Zu's wings began glowing. It's going to do a Sonic Boom! Auron inspired, and closed his eyes, channelling all his spiritual force to his hands. It was as easy as breathing, now that he was put to test. When he felt ready, throbbing with power, he stabbed Ashura into the ground with all his strength. Dark bubbles of obscure power came out of the earth and followed the flying beast in the sky. Right at that moment, though, the effect of the most vigorous wings flap of the fiend slashed Auron, who was almost completely hit by the wave of power. The man fell, but the bird was hit as well, not only by his dark energy attack but also by Rikku's explosions.
The girl, now back at his side, twitched on the spot, a smug smile on her lips.
"Hey, you big parrot! Rikku's here!" she screamed. The Zu finally seemed to come down to the ground, weakened by their combined blows; it was exceptionally clumsy moving on his claws, pushing towards the Al Bhed girl.
Auron wasn't ready for his final attack yet, though. He needed a moment to summon his strengths! Rikku seemed to read his mind once again, "My turn to dance, now! I'll buy you time!" Auron nodded.
He inhaled the dry air, focusing on the mist flowing through his body. It felt like an awakening; he guided his spirit, directing his power into his arms; he often imagined a clear water pool, boiling with energy in his stomach. That's where he gathered his core's very fuel.
He was just starting to concentrate when he heard Rikku's sudden cry. Auron turned his head and saw the girl being hit by the Zu's claw, cutting deeply into her stomach.
"Rikku!" he couldn't stop himself from screaming, horrified. He was blinded by rage, and the water pool where he stored his energy suddenly boiled with an incredible force. Auron ran towards the beast and slashed a fatal blow right in the creases between its wing and chest. The fiend cried and retreated, but it wasn't over yet.
Auron took advantage of the Zu's pain and rushed to Rikku's side. She had crawled towards the basin of water at the feet of the temple. He fell to her side, quickly searching for an Al Bhed potion in her satchel.
"I…lost 'em… running…" the girl coughed. Auron put his hand on her stomach, trying to stop the blood from gushing out of her. She flinched, pale, and then fainted. Auron started to panic. The Zu yelped, searching frantically for its enemies. I wasn't able to protect her.
Then, suddenly, he heard a soft voice speak to him. Reflected in the water, he saw the Water Goddess.
"You! Help me!" he growled at the reflection.
"Use her blood, open the portal!"
Auron nodded. He picked Rikku in his arms and started to make his way towards the gate. He ran as fast as he could, feeling the wind coming from the beast, now flying again, behind his neck.
He got to the portal and put his hand on Rikku's belly. Then he lifted his hand, soaked with the girl's blood, to rest on the stone. The Zu suddenly stopped, as if ready to be summoned back; he looked like a tamed beast now.
Rikku's blood shone over the stone. The temple's gates opened.
The trial was over.
End of Chapter 9
Hello everyone!
I worked a lot on this last chapter, and I must say I am pretty proud of it. Jeez, I'm blushing now. As usual, thank you all for the reviews!
I decided to add some of my illustrations to the fanfic; sometimes I find myself drawing scenes or details when writing, so I thought why not create Rikku's diary? (she sounds like the kind of character who would have a journal during her travels).
I guess I was heavily inspired by The Last of Us 2 (which I recently played... what a game!).
UNFORTUNATELY, doesn't allow the uploading of pics, so I will leave you here a link where you can find those: aurikku-coupdetat
I created Auron's notes too, you will find those in the blog as well. hope you're enjoying this humble fanfic! I am definitely having so much fun writing it. Let me know!
Xx
Silvia