Chapter Six: Delusions
"What did you just say?" Sitaten's eyelashes fluttered. Perhaps she ad not heard them right.
"Go into denial all you want, Princess, but the fact of the matter is that Yevon created Sin." although his face was absent of any smiles or condescending smirks, his words caused her blood to boil.
"I may not believe in the faith, but for you to sit ere and tell me that crock of chocobo dung, and expect me to believe it, well then your out of your mind!" Sitaten shouted at the top of her lungs. Paine gripped the silver hilt of her sword and Rikku backed away.
"Then you're in self-denial, Sweetheart," Gippal leaned back, smiling at her. Pulse quickening, Sitaten moved toward him and grabbed his collar.
"Those people are delusional, but not sinister. They would never create something so dangerous, so evil, let alone harness it power. For you to even suggest such a thing make me want to rip your tongue out and cauterize the stem so that you may never utter another word." she hissed, never feeling so angry before in her life.
"If you can believe that this war is just a ruse of absolute power, why can't you believe that Yevon has created this demon to aid in the faith's ascension to power?" Paine asked, a slight twinkle of amusement in her eyes.
"Because that would be calling all of our clergymen murderers, and I have known those men all my life. They would never betray their people, let alone harm a fly."
"We're sorry to disillusion you, but it is necessary for the journey. Release Gippal, immediately." Shuyin finally spoke. Sitaten looked from him to Gippal and then finally released him, taking a step or two back.
"Where is Yevon, now?"
"That's a stupid question, everyone knows that Yevon had disappeared over fifty years ago."
"Hmm... right around the time Sin appeared."
"So what?" Sitaten asked hotly, placing her hands on her hips.
"Where was he last seen?"
"In the temple, of course" Sitaten shrugged.
"No one had seen him leave."
"He was kidnaped, probably killed. Either way he's dead by now."
"Did anyone search for him?"
"Of course, for days they searched for him, Shuyin, all of this is recorded."
"Days? They searched for their beloved leader for only days, not weeks, months...years, even? Only a few days?"
"They said that it would cripple the economy if people kept looking for him. What's your point?"
"I'm not finished yet. Where does Sin usually attack?"
"High profile machina cities." Sitaten answered quickly.
"Don't forget the little people, Sitaten, remember that small village off the western peninsula?" Sitaten furrowed their eyebrows.
"Don't you think it a little odd that any city outside of Bevelle has been attacked at least once, whether by Sin or his spawn?"
"We don't use machina." Sitaten replied.
"Oh? There isn't any machina within the temple?"
"That temple was erected on holy ground, why would Sin attack it?"
"Ah yes, why would Sin attack that monstrosity that defiles the consecrated ground upon which it stands." he sarcastically chimed. "Why wouldn't Sin attack it?" Shuyin finally revealed his eyes, pulling off his glasses, but Sitaten lowered her head and chewed on her lip, as if searching for a counter.
"Why did you leave Bevelle, Sita?" Rikku asked softly. Only silence ensued. "Sita?" she gently touched her shoulder.
"I..." her voice cracked. Clearing her throat, se continued, "I left because of the war. Yevonites were taking advantage of the enemies' weakened state and continued to conquer them, nation by nation, and place them under their control. Those who wouldn't serve or convert were executed. They were considered a threat."
"Is that all?" Shuyin pushed.
"I realized that the war was just a ruse for power when the Yevonites would not search out the Al Bhed. If they were truly attempting to cleanse this world of machina, they would destroy all those with the potential of developing any. The Al Bhed race is the greater threat, not the small villages that could not afford to buy or construct machina." Sitaten replied truthfully, hating everyone around her as the words poured forth.
"So, again, I ask: If you can believe that the war is just a ruse for power, why can't you believe that Sin is one of the Yevonites' ultimate weapon."
"One of them?"
"There is something else resting beneath that city. Deadlier than Sin, more powerful than any machina ever made. What do you think Bahamut is down there protecting?"
"Bahamut is a weapon against Sin. Bevelle permits summoners and their guardians into the holy city so that we could enter a calm."
"Nice for a cover up- eh?" Gippal chipped in. Sitaten sank down into the bed, lying out flat, arms spread wide and eyes towards the ceiling.
"Please leave me with my thought s for a moment." silence ensued her request. Everyone looked to Shuyin for his directions and upon receiving a nearly imperceptive nod, they turned and left quietly.
"We'll be arriving at Luca in a few hours. That's all the time I can give. Make your decision by then."
The room seemed, empty, cold without the presence of a living soul besides herself. All her life, Sitaten had been plagued by the feelings of others, the only element able to protect her, enshroud he in a blanket of peace and quiet being water. Living in Bevelle, if she ever had broken under the strain of having other's feelings all over her, she would run to the edges of the city and swim in the sea, relishing in the calmness and clarity the body provided when her head was below the surface.
Now she was unable to take advantage of that escape. Even though water was all around, she dare not dip into the ocean, Sin having the potential to show up at an time, now. No, now she had to endure the passions of all around her, endure the hatred, the pain. If Sitaten had not known Shuyin to apathetic and callous, she could have sworn that the pain and hatred clouding someone's senses was rolling off of him.
Sitaten then realized that Sin must have taken someone precious away from him, must have destroyed a person very close to him. But why would he take it so personally? Sin has destroyed many lives, not many are stupid enough to throw their lives away in an attempt to point the finger at the opposition. The only explanation was that he truly believed in these documents, and why should she not? Even the soon-to-be praetor is in on this. Yevon's habits has surprised them from time to time, but would he actually betray them like this? Use them so callously?
"Yes," she spoke aloud, upon remembering feeling no lie or self-delusionment in his voice. But te fact remained that people who believed in something as passionately as she was sure he believed could give away false information without her picking up on it.
"And," she whispered aloud, remembering the feeling of unease she had grown accustomed to over the years. The faith could have been nothing but a lie, but since those in Bevelle believe so fervently in the faith, the ability to detect a lie amongst them would be quashed. And Baralai- no emotion came from him, but he was telling the truth as he knew it. He was definitely told something. Which only left her with one option- to go to Bevelle and demand to speak with the Praeter himself and question him about the origins of the faith. She would be sure then.
"I have reached a decision." Sitaten had startled them all as she appeared from the ladder
leading below the deck. A small twinkle of light began to emerge from the east, driving the stars back and submerging the backs of the five into shadow.
"I will go with you to Bevelle and help you discover these documents, so I may see for myself." They turned around to find her twisting her staff in her hands.
"You would give us your full cooperation?" Shuyin crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes..."
"You would walk when we said walk, sleep only when we permit it."
"If it must be that way."
"And you will do everything I say, no questions asked."
"That I cannot agree upon. If you tell me to do something 9 times out of ten I would like to know why, unless of course, we are in a dangerous situation and my immediate cooperation is needed."
Shuyin seemed to be considering her answers.
"I suppose you wouldn't be too much a pain in the ass, but if there is even one screw up, we're leaving you- I don't care where we are. Do you understand." Sitaten inhaled a long, deep breath.
"Yes."
"Good, we'll be arriving in half an hour."
As the sun finally began to rise, the port city of Luca was illuminated by its rays, the highways and buildings taking on a golden color. Rising from the sea, the Blitzball stadium was situated on the southern edge of the city, the great, large white bubble indicating that the players were currently practicing their sport. But to the north, where they were headed, were large valleys that stretched on for miles and miles until it reach an imposing mountain.
"Do we stop inside the city at least?" Sitaten asked, throwing her backpack onto her shoulders.
"No. We've got everything that we'll need until we reach Djose temple." Shuyin replied.
"So, how long will that take?"
"My guess? At least a week," Paine replied, jumping from the balustrade onto the deck.
"This is going to be rough, isn't it?" Sitaten, who never had to travel by foot ever before looked at the endless valleys dubiously.
"Yeah, pretty much, Princess," Gippal joined Paine, Rikku and Shuyin quietly following behind.
"You'll do fine, Sita, I'm sure of it." Baralai smiled as her jumped down below, extending his arms to help her down.
"Thanks," Sitaten jumped into his arms, the clergyman gently lowering her to the ground.
"Tell me, do you believe in what they said, tat those documents do exist?" Sitaten asked before they rejoined the group, which was slowly making its way around to town and towards Mi'ihen Highroad.
"All I know is that the Praetor believes they exist. And if it is enough to stop the war, I'm willing to expose Yevon for what he truly is. Are you not?"Sitaten began to catch up with the group.
"Yes, I am."
The day's hike around the city and along the Mi'ihen highroad took all of the day, as Sitaten was unable to keep with their pace, despite all the training she had undergone. In fact, the only reason she lagged so horribly was because of the unbearably hot sun beading onto her back and shoulders. Thus, she couldn't wait fo night, where the breeze blowing from the sea was cool and the nocturnal creatures came out to add their sweet song to the sounds of the sextet shuffling their feet and making small conversation. The only two who were unbearably quite were Shuyin and Paine, no surprise there.
"I've never been allowed on the upper levels of the temple." Sitaten giggled, speaking with Baralai about home.
"Ah, you should see it. Beautiful fountains, lovely waterfalls. It is quite the sight to behold." he replied.
"So what about your home, Rikku?" Sitaten turned to her blond friend.
"It's a great machina city we call Home II. And unlike the one that was destroyed fifty years ago, ths one has an excellent defense system, can burrow underground in case of an attack, and has shopping districts, malls, everything you could possibly dream of!" Rikku giggled and then sighed.
"But we've had to abandon it because of Sin. We don't want to lose Home again, so our youth have been spread across the sea, everywhere from Bikanel Island to the Zanarkand Ruins to learn what we can so that we could better defend ourselves against Sin."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Rikku." Sitaten gave a sad smile.
"Don't be...it's still there, isn't it?" Rikku's happiness peaked.
"Well what about Paine?" Sitaten directed her question to the hot-tempered young girl who turned and glared at her.
"Paine will remain out of this conversation." she said flatly and then continued behind Gippal.
"Don't worry, she always this pleasant."
"Ninety-nine points, Baralai..." her voice wafted through the breeze.
"What is she talking about?" Sitaten curiously asked.
"Oh that? Respect points. It's hard to get them, easy to lose them."
"What about me? How many do I have?" she asked.
"Oh, you'll know once she starts taking them away." Baralai smiled.
"Hey...did you see that?" Sitaten could have sworn that she had seen something scurry across the path.
"You think you saw something?" Rikku asked, drawing closer to her and pulling out her daggers at the same time.
"Sh..." Sitaten commanded. She needed concentration to use her ability to read emotion. Isolating individual emotions pouring from her companions, she closed her eyes and searched through the plains for the presence of any others. She did not like what she found.
"Shuyin, wait!" she shouted to the leader of the group who was pressing ahead of everyone. The blond turned around and glared at her, but the effect was lost in the darkness.
"What is it?" he asked, but quickly felt the presence of something behind him.
"Watch out!!" She shouted, just in time for him to take out his sword and slice across whatever demon was unfortunate enough to cross their path.
"Eww! It's one of those things with crystals on its back!" Rikku shrank and then took out her daggers, Sitaten following suit.
"No, you two stay out of it. We need something to pierce its hide." Baralai held his hand out to stop them.
"I guess that means I'm up," Gippal smirked, pulling out two machina that closely resembled guns. Likewise, Paine extracted her sword with the many skulls on the hilt- all in all, a deadly weapon.
"Humph..." Paine smirked as she sliced upwards through the fiend. In response, the creature rammed into her, pinning her to the ground.
"Kyaa!" Shuyin drove his sword into the belly of the beast, but it was not enough to kill him.
"Step aside..." Gippal's drawl cu through the battle atmosphere. Paine was still on the ground, keeping the fiend off herself by holding it back with her heels.
"Push it up further," Gippal shouted as he took aim. Paine reacted by extending her legs a bit more, shaking under the weight of the creature. And finally he shot two white bullets into the eyes of the fiend. Squealing in pain, the demon rolled over and fell to the ground, dead, for a second time.
Sitaten stood still, waiting until the poor pyreflies left the body, dissolving into thin air. Finally, when Baralai was sure the threat was over, he moved to Paine's side as quickly as humanly possible and begun tending to her wounds. Using the cure spell, Paine was enabled to walk again, albeit shakily, until they found a more safer spot along the beach, a mile or two away from the battle scene.
"That was the ugliest thing I've ever seen in my entire life!" Rikku shivered, helping Sitaten to pitch a tent.
"What was that thing?" Sitaten asked, driving a stake into the ground.
"Like I care? All I know is that this potion I swiped from it'll come in handy." Rikku flashed a blue bottle with a devilish smirk on her face.
"Hey I didn't see you move!" Sitaten exclaimed.
"That's the trick of the trade, my friend." she proudly smiled and tucked the bottle into the pouch.
"So you're used to battles?" Sitaten asked, crawling inside the hue tent. Everyone was already inside, talking in hushed tones.
"Yeah, and from the way you froze up like that, I can tell you aren't."
"I've never seen anything like that before." Sitaten said, unrolling her sleeping bag.
"Don't worry, you'll get sed to them. There's a great chance that we'll need your speed in the next fight."
"I doubt it. I mean Baralai has a better hand with his staff, you're quick with your daggers...I don't have much to bring to the plate... I don't have a specialty of my own, you know..."
"Ah, don't worry about it. I can assure you that you'll be a great asset to our group. I mean, you haven't even opened up the third form of your weapon!" Rikku yawned, "By the way... how did you know that fiend was there, anyways?"
"I..." Sitaten hesitated, not sure if she should tell anyone about her ability. Her father warned her that others might take advantage of it.
"Eh, you probably just saw it, never mind, doesn't matter." Rikku burrowed into her bag a little and closed her eyes.
"Good night, Rikku..."
"See ya in the morning..."
The next morning, Sitaten and the girls were allowed the opportunity to bathe in the seawater while the men gathered the things inside the tent and struck up a fire for breakfast. Once the girls were finished, Sitaten dressing in a short white pleated skirt and sky blue top, Rikku wearing another outfit of the usual green skirt and orange bra top, and Paine sticking to her leather, they all exchanged places with the boys and begun to prepare for breakfast.
"That was quick..." Sitaten muttered under her breath, not wanting to see Shuyin more than she needed.
"We have to get going. We should reach Djose temple by tomorrow night." Baralai confirmed.
"Ooh... I've always wanted to visit!" Sitaten exclaimed.
"We won't be there to visit. We will be there for reconnaissance and then we'll leave." Shuyin always had to be the one to burst her bubble.
"But you will be able to come with me inside, Sita. I will be questioning the priest there, and you could pose as my servant."
"You mean I'd have to lie?" Sitaten asked.
"Unfortunately, yes...will you be okay with that?" Baralai asked, with genuine concern lacing his voice.
"Um...." Sitaten bit her lip and looked down at the ground in contemplation.
"What is with you and this honor-code thing? Listen, Princess, it would help us out if you join the bandwagon." Gippal interjected.
"Lying complicates things unnecessarily." she snapped, "I don't like to lie for that reason alone."
"Look" he started.
"She's right, lying does complicate things unnecessarily. But Sitaten," Baralai began, "we need you on this. Only you know the correct protocol between clergymen and acolytes." Sitaten seemed to be in deep contemplation for a moment.
"I won't lie, but I can be vague enough so that others will fill in the details with their imaginations without becoming suspicious."
"What if they ask for your name?" Paine noted.
"Complicated, but simple... Durga."
"Hey! I thought your name was Sitaten!" Rikku exclaimed.
"My middle name is Jaia. Translated into a very uncommon language it is Durga. My middle name is still my name, and Durga is the equivalent of my name in another language, thus I am not telling the truth, but not lying either."
"Very clever." Sitaten was sure she saw just the slightest hint of a smile on Paine's face. "As I said, it is unnecessarily complicated when not telling the truth, therefore I make it my duty to keep things as simple as possible by telling the truth."
"But in this situation, telling a lie would be easier."
"I'm sorry, but I cannot lie for you. I refuse to. But I can be vague enough to the point where the truth is indiscernible and the six of us could merrily skip away off to our next checkpoint. Now how will you have it?" Sitaten crossed her arms over her chest, tired of going back and forth with them.
"You're 'unnecessarily' stubborn," Shuyin crossed his arms as well.
"You wouldn't respect me if I was easily swayed." Sitaten smirked.