Shadow of Darkness

Huzzah! You made it to Chapter 10! (I made it to Chapter 10- what a shock!) I'd like to say huge thank you to all my readers!

Chapter 10:

Rikku relaxed in a tub of hot water, up to her chin in fragrant, pink-tinged bubbles. Her long blond hair hung over the edge of the tub, drip-drying on a towel below. Every last one of her tired muscles had succumbed to the hot water. She was totally and completely relaxed. She could almost… fall… asleep…

''''

"Yunie! Let's play chicken! The guys already agreed," Rikku said, riding around proudly on Gippal's shoulders. The sun was bright, the sky was a beautiful clear blue, the ocean water was calm, and the bleached sand on the beach was deliciously warm. It was perfect.

Yuna laughed at her cousin. "How do you play?"

"Climb on Tidus' shoulders. Then we push each other to see who falls off first. Come on! It's a whole lot of fun!"

"Well it does sound fun."

"It is, it is!"

"All right…" Yuna blushed as Tidus helped her onto his shoulders.

Rikku giggled. "Oh come on, don't be so shy Yunie."

"I'm not…" But her blush brightened when Tidus grabbed a hold on her legs to keep her steady.

"Again, Rikku giggled. "Okay… ready to play?"

"We just knock each other off, right?" Yuna asked.

She nodded. "Yup. Ready? Set? Go!"

Gippal and Tidus charged towards each other, screaming war cries and splashing water everywhere. The girls locked arms. It was quite a power struggle- Yuna was a lot stronger than she looked! Rikku grinned. Well, so was she! And she would not go down without a fight. She pushed and her cousin pushed back. It was like a dance. Rikku almost laughed at the thought- quite an aggressive dance.

It was with this thought that Rikku lost her focus. Yuna used this to her advantage. Grabbing her cousin's shoulders, she hauled the blond off of Gippal.

Rikku's eyes flew open wide as she fell towards the water. Overhead, the sky suddenly roiled with sinister black clouds. Thunder clapped. A flash of lightening struck in the distance, lighting the entire sky with an eerie glow. She gave a startled cry. Her fall was agonizingly slow. The water seemed to draw further and further away. She knew that when she hit it, the force would break a bone if she could be so lucky.

"Rikku!" called a familiar, distant voice. She couldn't respond, paralyzed.

Just then, time seemed to regain its normal flow and she slid into the water almost lazily, without a single splash. Down she sank beneath the water. She tried to swim to the surface but her arms and legs would give nothing more than a half-hearted wiggle. Muffled through the water, she heard the roll of thunder and that voice calling her name. Who was it?

She panicked. Thunder- the storm! If lightening struck the water, she'd be dead! She tried again to swim. No, no, no! She did not want to die here! She hated lightening- move dammit! Her lungs burned for air. Without thinking, she opened her mouth to inhale and got a lungful of water instead. She gagged. Violently, her legs kicked off something hard- a rock, perhaps- and she shot for the surface. Her eyes were greeted by mountains of pink-white foam.

Rikku took a huge gulp of hair and began to cough. It took her a moment to realize she was still in the bathtub. The door of the bathroom burst open.

"Rikku!" It was Gippal. His face was wrought with fear.

She whimpered and threw up the water she had inhaled.

"Oh shit…" He hurried over. Rikku's face was ashen and she trembled all over. "What happened?"

"I… and Yunie… chicken… lightening…" She broke out into a weak sob, leaning against the tub. "I was drowning. Gippal, I'm sorry."

He sat near the edge of the tub and pushed her soaked, tangled hair from her face. "What are you sorry for?"

"I'm so stupid. You're not supposed to fall asleep in the tub. I know that. And still I…" Tears left glittering trails down her cheeks.
"Hey, don't blame yourself. You were exhausted." He gave her head an awkward pat. "Er… anyway. I came to tell you that we'll be arriving in Luca in about ten minutes." He stood hastily and left the bathroom.

Rikku sniffled and sat up. That was odd… Then she glanced down and blushed brilliantly. The bath foam just barely covered her. 'Oh man… he nearly saw it all. Again!'

''''

It was raining so hard that it seemed all the waters in Spira were dumping onto Luca, and Rikku and Gippal were caught in the middle of it.

"So much for taking a bath- here we get a free shower," Gippal grunted. His hair was plastered flat on his head. Rikku would have laughed at him, had she been certain she didn't look the same.

"It's freezing!" She motioned to the information desk. "Let's just find Effram… quickly." She grabbed Gippal's shirt and pulled him beneath the sheltered desk. "Excuse me, can you tell me where we might find a person named Effram?"

A high-strung young man- probably not much older than Rikku herself- turned to them. "He's the owner of the Electric Element. It's in the town square." He twitched violently. "You're not sick too, are you?" he squeaked. "If you do, get away from me!"

"Uh… no… just friends," Gippal replied, giving him a weird look. He grabbed Rikku's hand. "Let's go." The moment they were out of hearing range- which wasn't too far, considering the noise of the storm- he shook his head. "Everyone is in a panic about this Dark Plague. It's getting ridiculous."

Rikku frowned, shoving her soaked hair out of her eyes. It was futile for the rain just pushed it back in place. "No, it's not. This thing makes people go crazy. Imagine your loved one trying to kill you." She hugged her arms to her chest and shivered, not just from the chill of the rain. "You just haven't seen anyone with it. It's really scary…"

"Oh fine. Whatever. You make a valid point."

They entered the town square- or circle, if you will- of Luca.

"What do you think the Electric Element is?" Rikku pondered aloud.

Gippal shrugged. "Sounds like a pub to me."

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Hmm… you think so?"

He nodded to a building across from them. "I'd say that that place is it too."

They moved closer to the building and, sure enough, a wooden sign with Electric Element carved on it swing over the entrance. It was brightly painted and lightening bolts jutted out from either side of the sign.

"Rustic," Rikku mused.

"You think that with a name like Electric Element, it'd be… well, electric."

She studied the pub entrance for a moment. "I think this is where I stopped when I first started looking for Marin."

"Rikku, I'm ashamed of you, resorting to alcoholism at your age. Gorging on Luca's finest, eh?"

"Oh shut up! I'm not you!"

""Hey, I got drunk once! Or maybe twice… but that doesn't make me an alcoholic!"

She ignored him and went into the pub. It was empty, but then most pubs would be at that hour of the morning. She headed for the bar and glanced around. No one. "Anyone here?

Gippal came up next to her. "Anybody?"

Still there was no answer. She shook her head. "Well, I guess no one-"

A door behind the counter, previously unnoticed as it blended into the wall, swung open and a man- the one Rikku recognized who told her Marin had passed through Luca- emerged. "What?" he asked gruffly.

"Er… hello. We're… looking for the owner of this place. A man named Effram. Do you know him?"

"I know his name." He eyed them for a long while. Then he turned his back to them. "Effram is dead."

"Dead?!" Rikku wailed, sinking to her knees. He was kidding, right?

The man turned back to them and leaned over the counter. What did you want with him anyway?"

"Master Deek sent us…" she replied.

"Deek?" The man looked troubled.

Gippal stepped forward. "Yeah. You're looking at Spira's last hope." He gestured to Rikku, who was still on the ground.

"What happened to Marin?"

Rikku finally climbed to her feet. "She- she died. Somehow she gave me what remained of her powers. We went to Deek and then he sent us to find Effram to help me train. Are you sure he's dead?" she asked desperately.

"Of course I'm sure," the bartender grunted. "You can't get any deader than he is."

"Isn't there anything you can do?" Gippal asked impatiently.

He shook his head. "Nothing. You can't bring the dead back to life. Now excuse me, I have work to do." And he disappeared behind the door.

Rikku frowned. "What are we going to do?"

"Keep going. All you can do is practice. You'll learn it." Gippal shrugged. "Come on, let's go. We're wasting daylight."

Rikku glanced back at the bar. "He seemed so much nicer the last time I saw him."

"Maybe a family member got sick. Or perhaps he's sick himself."

"Maybe…"

Behind the stockroom doors, the bartender sat at a desk with his hands buried in his thick blond hair. He sighed. "Effram…"

''''

Rikku stared at the muddy way through the Mi'ihen Highroad, stretching as far as the eye could see… which wasn't far at all because the storm caused nightmarishly poor visibility. Neither hover nor chocobo was in sight.

"Ah, poopie…" she moaned.

"What?" Gippal asked.

"We have to walk it… in this rain."

"We could always stay at an inn."

"No way! You said it before that we were wasting daylight. The longer we take, the more people will get the Plague. And maybe even die."

He knocked her head with his fist. "But what good could you do if you got sick and died walking around in this ice cold rain?"

"Owwie! That hurt!" So she punched his arm in return. "We'll stop and Rin's Travel Agency down the Road if we have to." She glanced down at the road again. "Come on, before I change my mind." She grabbed his arm and pulled him down the muddy path.

"Hey, stop pulling!"

Neither of them noticed the dark figure, obscured by the rain, trailing them.

''''

Squelch. Squelch, squelch. This was the sound of footsteps in the mud. Rikku and Gippal's footsteps, to be exact. Rikku did not like the sound. It reminded her of the time she stepped in shoopuf droppings. Big, smelly droppings. She blanched. No, that was just disgusting. Her calves ached- walking through this mud took more effort than she'd originally thought.

Squelch, squelch, squelch. They walked in silence. The steady sound of mud sucking beneath their feet was broken by a very heavy sounding squish. A low growl came from the bushes on their left.

"Oh shit," Gippal muttered, taking a step back.

A huge tiger-like fiend leapt at them. Rikku squeaked. Not another fiend! Hastily, she grabbed her daggers. It would be so sorry it messed with her! It gathered power in its haunches and launched itself at them- only to be thrown aside mid-leap. It crumpled to the ground, motionless. An arrow protruded from its side.

"What the…" Gippal murmured as the fiend faded into a swarm of pyreflies.

There was the sound of squelching footsteps behind them. They turned to see a shadowy figure approaching them.

"Who are you?" Rikku demanded.

"I am Effram." A figure in a cloak stood before them, wielding a crossbow. "And I think you owe me your thanks. I just saved your life."

"But… you're dead! Oh man, don't tell me this is another Yevon conspiracy!" Rikku groaned.

"It's not a conspiracy." The figure drew back his hood far enough so they could see his face.

"Oh cripes… you're the bartender!" she gasped.

"I guess I am."

Gippal frowned and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "But you told us Effram was dead."

"I lied."

"Well, no. I didn't figure that at all."

Rikku frowned as well. "Why did you lie?"

"I haven't gone by Effram in years. Only a few people know me by that handle, and most I don't trust. I had no reason to tell you the truth."

"Then why'd you come after us?" Gippal demanded. More and more he did not like this Effram guy.

"Well, you told me yourself that Master Deek sent you."

"Why didn't you say so when we told you then?! Why bother lying about it?" he exploded.

"Well, I didn't trust you. I have many enemies, you know. I had to think about it… and confirm it."

"He has a good point," Rikku pointed out to Gippal.

"Yeah, but I still think it's fishy," he grumbled.

She shoved Gippal back. "You big baby." And then she turned to Effram. "Thanks for taking care of that fiend. If you hadn't, we'd probably be cat chow right about now."

Effram lowered his crossbow and nodded slowly. "Of course." He released the catch on the bow and slid it carefully into a specially crafted holster at his hip. "Now, tell me what has happened, starting with Marin's death."

''''

The storm showed no signs of letting up when the trio finally reached Rin's Travel Agency, conveniently placed at Mi'ihen Highroad's halfway mark.

"We should rest here. This rain isn't going to let up any time soon," Effram said to Rikku and Gippal. "We can use this down time to continue Master Deek's lessons."

Rikku wrinkled her nose. "I suppose you're right." But she wasn't happy. This story took precious hours away from her journey.

As bedraggled as a trio of waterlogged chocobos, the party entered the Travel Agency.

"Nuus vun drnaa. ::Room for three::" Gippal told the attendant, wringing out the hem of his shirt.

She gave him a distasteful look as he, Rikku, and Effram dripped water all over the polished wood floor.

"Y mynka nuus, ev oui ryja uha yjyemypma. ::A large room, if you have one available::," Effram added.

Rikku glanced up at him in surprise. For the first time, she noticed the spiral mark of the Al Bhed in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you were Al Bhed?" she squeaked.

"Why didn't you ask? Anyway, I thought the pattern on my eyes was a dead giveaway," He pointed out, snatching the key card from Gippal.

Gippal made a face at the back of Effram's head. "Just how many other things is he keeping from us?" he muttered to Rikku.

"Oh hush, it's no big deal."

"Yes it is!"

But Rikku simple elbowed him to silence any further protests and walked ahead to catch up with Effram. "Are you going to teach me then? Today?"

He nodded. "Let's dry off first thought. We don't really want to get sick, do we?"

She nodded and followed him into the room. Gippal brought up the rear, muttering under his breath in frustration. He didn't like Effram, the way he attached himself to Rikku like that. Had Cid been around, he would be in a fit and probably take Gippal's head as a souvenir!

Rikku claimed the bathroom and changed hastily, humming under her breath. Effram was far friendlier than Gippal ever bothered to be, even though he was much older.

There was the sound of grumbling in the room beyond the door. Was that her name she heard? She frowned and pressed her ear to the door. Yes… there it was again. They were talking about her! She made a face. How rude! She wouldn't put it past Gippal to say horrible things about her. She gave a determined stomp. She was going to put a stop to this! Quickly, she hauled the door open. The sight she was greeted with nearly sent her into shock. Gippal had Effram lifted by his shirt and locked in a burning glare.

"Gippal, what the hell are you doing to him!?"

"Huh?" He dropped Effram suddenly and looked sheepish. "Just a friendly chat, eh Effram?"

He rubbed his neck and smiled. "Yeah."

Rikku narrowed her eyes. "Right," she muttered in disbelief. She crossed the room and gave Gippal a once over. He smiled innocently and reached over to pat her head. In a mature fashion, she stuck her tongue out at him in return. Then, reaching over, she helped Effram to his feet. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Effram laughed a bit, dusting off his pants. "Like he could."

"You make a good point."

Gippal growled under his breath.

"So, Rikku, are you ready to learn?"

She held her arms open and nodded. "Teach me."

With a frown, Gippal sat on the edge of his bed, watching as the two of them talked and laughed. 'She's not that interesting…'

"Hey you, enough sulking!"

"Huh?" Suddenly, a blast of white knocked him end over end- and straight off the bed with a yelp.

Rikku burst into laughter. "Look, Effram! I did it! Yippee!"

Notably, Gippal was not as amused.

………..

Oh my goodness, how exciting! So many reviews for Chapter 9! eek! I'm so glad you all like it!

kingleby: What's in Rikku's dreams hmm? She wouldn't tell me! But I do imagine it is not an aggressive lover named Junga. -

Cerulean Abyss: Well, here it is! What's next! I hope you enjoyed it (And yes! Fabulous name! grin)

Cute-kitty: Hahah, I'm glad you loved Gippal's curse! I liked it too.

Fanfic-Lover: What a smart cookie! You guessed right about Effram's lineage! 10 chocobo feathers for you!

Angry Girl: I'm so flattered that you found my story and enjoyed it so much!

perfect-stranger: Oh no! Not the Pointer Finger of Despair! Well, you're in luck! Just as you reviewed, I finished up Chapter 10!