Words left unspoken
Hi guys! This chapter isn't very exciting, and I don't think its as long as some, but they don't do much in Macalania. But I hope you still enjoy it! Exams are over! PARTY!
In the absence of sight: 5
Three years of surviving you: 7
Tale of two Gippals: 4
Emmy-miester: lol, sugar highs are fun! I'm not complaining if you have more, I always end up hyper when I read people's fanficiton.
oOoDancingQueenoOo: lol, I glad you liked that line, I was worried it might be too silly to put in, good job I did now though.
asga: fight scenes are always hard to write, but I'm glad you like it, they'll be a fight scene again soon, either next chapter or one after.
Cutekitty: Thanks!
Shakai:lol, feel very proud! No one else has worked it out yet except you. Mini Gippal is so cute! I couldn't resist him being heroic in his own way. And yeah, I know what you mean about the phoenix downs, lol, its why I put it in here, to show how ridiculous it can sometimes get! The next angel of death chapter will be up a little after this one, I have it written and ready! But when are you writing more of yours? I'm planning on reading your new one soon. And thanks for the writing luck!
Jen: lol, I liked writing that part, just like in the game with an evil monster.
kariyuna14: I keep meaning to read more of your story, to be honest I haven't been reading any ff10-2 fics since before my exams, but I'm trying to do so soon, when I have more free time. But I will read more! And thanks for wishing me luck! They worked out okay in the end.
xInsanoBananax: I love your name, lol.
Master Thief: here you go!
Nox Fiorre: E3? Wow, don't I sound intelligent asking that, lol. Thanks! Just tell me if you do stop any errors, okay?
Back of Beyond: I try.
babiixwolf: glad you like it!
Kotono116: I hate it when people make out Tidus is a complete moron, I mean, how smart would you look to everyone when you've just been zapped a thousand years into the future and have no idea what's going on? So I agree with you completely, it really pisses me off too. The truth or dare thing I did because I couldn't thin of another way for them to kiss, but I didn't like it much myself, I like to keep things true to the game, and not add in everyday stuff. But I was being lazy in that chapter. I love writing fight scenes, lol, not sure why, so expect more soon! I couldn't picture Gippal a total player; he just didn't seem the type in the game. But I didn't think with him in this story he would stay a virgin after all that happened, so that's why I made him that way. I'm so glad you like it! And I really appreciate your honesty! I really want to know what you think about what happens to Gippal in this chapter and whether its too unrealistic, you'll know what I mean when you read it. Thanks again!
Arami Heartily: thanks for the exam luck! They went okay. And I glad you like the fight scenes. They'll be a lot more of them soon. And the plot will be really thickening from now on.
Confession
I've never been back to Macalania Woods since that day my mother died. How could I? So many bad memories linger there. Guess I always hoped I'd never have to go back, never have to remember what happened. That's what I hoped anyway, especially when I heard they were fading away. Maybe the memories would fade too, maybe I could move on without facing the past.
I hate it when reality comes and bites you in the butt. It never seems to let you live in ignorant bliss for as long as you want. But I guess it's a good thing. Being here is the perfect place to admit my past to you Rikku, to finally tell you who the man really is.
The name Cameo means shadow portrait, its kinda funny how fitting it is. The Cameo he was is a mere shadow portrait now and instead the portrait of a killer has been drawn over it. Mum used to try and scrape away at it to find the one underneath, but it never worked, it never will.
I never used to understand why she he would one day change. I guess at first I didn't realise what had happened, that it hadn't really been his choice to become how he is now. But as much as I'd like to meet my real father I know it won't happen, it's too late for that now.
But can I stop him without killing him? Would I be able to end my own father's life? I heard about how Sir Tidus helped his father die, am I strong enough to do the same? I remember how he treated me for all those years, how I lived in terror, half wishing he would just end my life and get it out of the way. I'm stronger now, but am I strong enough?
Sometimes I worry I'll become like him. After all, I was conceived after his accident. He changed because he didn't have an option, will that happen to me? Will something in me one day rob me of my identity and leave me confused and hateful? I hope not, I wouldn't want to hurt you Rikku.
I'm going to tell you here, in Macalania Woods. It's where it ended last time, and it's where I'll end the mystery of my past. I have to, for all our sakes.
"They're almost completely gone now." Rikku observed sadly.
"But it will live on in our memories." Gippal told her, not sounding very happy by this fact. "Want to see the spot my mum died."
"Gippal!" Rikku protested with shock.
"Cunno. E zicd fyhd du dymg du oui ypuid cusadrehk, dryd'c ymm." (Sorry. I just want to talk to you about something, that's all.)
"Is, ugyo." (Um, okay.) Rikku said, knowing from the look on his face it was important. "we'll catch up with you guys later, okay?"
"Shouldn't we keep moving?" Paine argued.
"Let them." Yuna broke in, smiling. "Besides, I'd like to stay here a few hours too, just to say goodbye."
"I thought you already did that." Paine muttered, but Yuna wasn't listening, she's already grabbed Tidus' hands and headed towards the spring.
"…So, what do you want to do?" Baralai enquired.
"Is this the place?" Rikku asked quietly.
"Yeah, around this area anyway." They were at the campsite area, a place Rikku had always thought of as strange. The first time she'd been here was when her and Tidus were trying desperately to save Yunie from her destined fate, she certainly hadn't liked the place then. "I was hiding behind a tree near the path, but I guess the tree must have faded away now."
"It must have been hard for you." Gippal didn't give her an answer; what could he say to that?
"There's something I haven't been honest with you about Rikku. Well…something else I haven't told you, and you have the right to know."
"What is it?" She asked quietly placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Gippal smiled at the gesture, feeling instantly at ease with his childhood crush.
"The man that we're after; he's more than just someone my mother and I traveled with…he's related to me."
Despite people teasing her as such, Rikku was not a dim person. She merely nodded at the confession.
"I know." She said, smirking at his shocked look. "Your father, right?" Gippal could only splutter a little before he gave up on forming words. "I'm not stupid Gippal, it was obvious there was another reason your mother would travel with a murderer." Her boyfriend smiled weakly at that, feeling ashamed at not giving her the credit she deserved.
"E ghuf oui'na hud cdibet, E zicd rubat hu uha fuimt hudela." (I know you're not stupid, I just hoped no one would notice.) He explained quietly. "E'ja ymfyoc fyhdat du bnadaht ed fych'd dnia, palyica ev ed fana naym dryh E sekrd pa mega res eh cusa fyo. E tuh'd fyhd du pa yhodrehk mega res." (I've always wanted to pretend it wasn't true, because if it were real than I might be like him in some way. I don't want to be anything like him.)
"Oui'na hud, cemmo." (You're not, silly.) Rikku told him with an innocent smile, running a hand down his cheek. "Caaehk so vysemo fuimt ryja bnujah du yhouha kahac tuh'd luihd frah ed lusac du ruf fa dinh uid. Ed'c ymm ypuid aqbaneahla yht ruf oui ica ed." (Seeing my family would have proven to anyone genes don't count when it comes to how we turn out. It's all about experience and how you use it."
Gippal chuckled a little at that, a laugh that was full of past pain and sorrow.
"No kidding." He whispered, his voice quivering with such emotion that Rikku wanted to wrap him in the safety of her arms for eternity.
"It must have been so hard for you." She said while linking her arms around his back. "Being trapped traveling with him, unable to leave but unable stop his evil. It's worse then living in fear of Sin."
"Not really, it was because of Sin he was able to escape from the Guados. If Sin hadn't come they have been able to kill him before…well, before everything."
"Paine, I don't think this is a good idea." Baralai tried again.
"Well I do, he's hiding something and I want to know what." His fiancée responded without looking at him, she was too busy peering through the tree branches.
"This tree could fade at any moment." Baralai complained, though did so respectively. The tree was a bigger distance away from the talking Al Bheds than Paine liked, but they couldn't risk going nearer without being caught spying.
"They're whispering." Paine growled in annoyance.
"Maybe they know we're watching." Maybe she'll give this idea up. He added to himself, feeling hopeful. But because Yevon seemed to be finding his distress amusing Gippal's voice began to rise a little when he began his story. Now he spoke loud enough for his spying friends to hear. And as his tale progressed Baralai wished more than anything he hadn't heard, not when his friend didn't even realise it.
The six year old Gippal had been running for what felt like hours to his aching lungs. Running from the attack, away from the only life he had ever known. Gippal glanced fearfully behind him, causing him to stumble to his knees in exhaustion. How had it come to this? Why did it have to end this way? Everywhere he turned, people hated him, cursed his very existence. How would that change? What did it matter now his mother was dead?
The young boy sobbed in despair, now curling up into a protective tight ball and rocking gently in an attempt to comfort himself; to try and reclaim something worth living for. There was nothing. There really wasn't anything to hope for. His mother was dead; he was all alone; everyone hated him even though they didn't know him…
"How dare you betray me! HOW DARE YOU!" The man's voice erupted behind him grabbing him roughly by the shirt.
"Leave me alone! What do you want? It's all over now!"
"I want to see you die! I want to every Al Bhed die!"
"But you're…"
"Don't speak!" The man screamed. Slashing out with a knife and cutting the young boy's arm. "Don't you ever speak!" Gippal fell back out of his grip, landing in the shallow end of the lake, he had run from the camping sight to the immediate left path, and was now trapped with the man in front and the large lake behind.
The young boy suddenly felt a wave of determination rush through him as he stared up at the man, glaring through his pain and refusing to show his fear.
"But you are Al Bhed! You should kill yourself and leave the rest of Spira in peace. You've already killed mum, leave me alone!"
"You are my blood; I won't have your soul be condemned because of what you are!" The next instant all Gippal could feel was the sudden cold of the water as he struggled to be free of the man's grasp. He beat at the hand holding him down, but as his lungs began to burn from air deprivation they barely even hit. Gippal could see light above him but was unable to reach it, his lungs now burning with the need for oxygen, the need for life…funny, a moment ago he had nothing to live for, now the very thought of dying so enough for him to want it.
For a long time after Gippal was unaware of anything, unaware of breathing or of life. But little by little he began to hear it, the small unmistakable sound of someone speaking.
"Kid." It said, and it sounded vaguely familiar. Then all of a sudden the young boy was aware again. He was aware of the burning pain sweeping through his body, of someone holding him, someone he'd met briefly before.
"Frana ec ra?" (Where is he?) Gippal asked quietly to his rescuer, his soon-to-be foster father. The man fidgeted a little in uncertainty before coming to a decision and looking at the young boy.
"Dead." Lance told him with a grim smile. "It's all over now."
"…I guess he's not as dead as Lance thought. Part of me knew, you greatest fear never truly dies, and he's mine." He finished, now having revealed everything. Now she knew; she knew everything about his father, his time with him and what Gippal had done in order to be accepted into the Al Bhed Home once more. The sphere which he'd placed on the dead woman had been destroyed, enabling the safety of the Al Bhed Home for ten more years before the Guados were able to attack, forcing Cid to blow up their sanctuary.
"Wow." Was all Rikku could manage, still having not returned from a pale colour after hearing about the shoopuf baby.
"I know it's a lot to take in…do you need some space?"
"No, don't leave, I'll be fine." Rikku said quietly, suddenly pulling him against her, needing to be reassured he truly was okay now. "There's just one thing I don't understand."
"Only one?" Gippal teased. "That's less than me."
"What happened to him? And why did he try to kill my pops? How did he try…"
"That's more than one." Gippal pointed out, trying to keep his cheeky smile alive.
"Gippal." Rikku said warningly. Gippal sighed and nodded, knowing from her tone she was saying: no more secrets.
"No one's told me what he did to your father, only that he tried to him and that's why he left Home. I know Cid, Lance and him used to be friends, but after the accident he changed. He changed and was beyond retrieval, as my mum found out but never admitted."
Rikku looked up from within the embrace at her lover's face, breathing in the sorrow he was feeling, wishing more than anything she could help. Part of her was desperate to ask what this 'accident' was, but her more sensible side realised it didn't matter, and it would be less painful for Gippal if she didn't pry.
"What was his name?" She asked instead. "Before he became 'the man'?" His grip tightened around her, and she felt him begin to shake. But not with fear or shock, with…laughter? Sorrow filled, heart wrenching laughter.
"Cameo." He said softly through inhuman chuckles that stung her heart. "I never even met him."
Said shadow of the man once known as Cameo was making his way across the ruins of Zanarkand, almost gleefully skirting his surroundings for any last parts he'd require. His second to last machina had been sent out; one that he'd designed especially to crush the Machina Maw of the Al Bhed princess. It had already helped save them twice before, he was not allowing it to interfere again.
Yes, the new machina he'd sent would not return, of that he was certain. But it would end the only rivalry machina. And it would cause the demise of the princess, it not the others too.
Soon Gippal would reach here; soon the man would face the traitor which cost hid victory over all Al Bhed's twelve years ago. Soon he would look at his grown son and smile sealing his fate. He would kill the child he never connected with, and then no one would stand in his way to finish what he started almost nineteen years ago. He would eliminate Cid for what he did.
Gippal was being deathly quiet as they walked through the forest towards the Calm Lands. The others looked uncomfortably by his sudden mood change, all but Rikku who merely gripped his hand tighter to spare him from the memories flooding into mind. He'd told her the truth now; he was no longer weighted down with the secret of his past. But that didn't stop the bad memories the forest held. He wouldn't be able to feel the difference of his confession until he was far away from here.
…But the thought of leaving here was even worse. It would finally be real; the past he'd hidden so long could no longer be kept secret. Rikku knew. The others would soon be told, and there was no going back. He had to finish this. He had to end it.
He had to face his father.
Gippal would have to kill the man who had seen as invincible for years. He would burn in the dark depths of the farplane for this. Not only had he once assisted a murderer; he was about to become one.
But it has to be done, I have to protect Rikku. He'll go after her and Cid next.
He hadn't told Rikku about Cameo's accident for a reason. If he told her, if he had to think about it, Gippal knew he wouldn't be able to kill him. It hadn't been his fault, he'd changed against his will; unable to hang onto the person he once was. If anyone were to blame for what happened, it was Cid, which is why the man tried to kill him.
Gippal shuddered at the thought. How could he think that? It had been no one's fault as far as he knew. But the man had once spoke of his rebirth and how it came about.to him Cid's death would be his show of appreciation. No Al Bhed could live and then hope for retribution at the end, not unless he killed them. Gippal had never really understood his logic about that, and was glad of it; only a psycho would understand another one. But he couldn't deny that when he was alone he would sometimes wonder why his twisted idea of revenge made a little sense; why, when Gippal had first met him after Lance rescued him, he'd distrusted him. It had been Lance and Lidea he felt safe with, never Cid, not even now.
I guess I am like him. Gippal thought, trying not to laugh. That had really scared Rikku earlier, and he didn't want to do that again. Cid's always hated me in a way, but it was worse after Lidea died. And I hated him for hating me. I'm not my father; I didn't try to kill anyone. She died and I didn't, I felt guilty about already without Brother and Cid hating me. Theyhated me for my past, and for the fact I lived beyond it. What was the point? Only Rikku and Lance gave me purpose after Lidea died, but It's so hard to keep fighting…I can see why Rikku wants a break from it physically.
Once he's dead we can settle down and see where our relationship is going. But…will I be able to forget? Will she let me touch her with hands covered in blood? My father's blood?
"Gippal!" Paine yelled out, kicking him in the shin. "Would you stop spacing out and help?"
"Huh?" Came the intelligent reply. Then he noticed. The receptionist of the Thunder Plains Inn was unconscious on the ground, looking pale and shivering. Rikku was talking to the couple from the Inn, trying to calm them and learn what had happened. Gippal found he was tempted to laugh again. So many small things were seen as important, like this person's state of health. Wasn't that funny?
"What's his problem?" Tidus asked out loud, noticing Gippal laughing quietly
"Maybe he's in shock." Yuna told him, unsure.
"From what? He was asleep during the last machina attack." Paine muttered. "Maybe he's just losing it."
Rikku watched as Tanya and Leo headed off towards the Calm Lands after she'd assured them they'd help the Al Bhed. Tidus and Baralai were carrying the unconscious Al Bhed now, waiting for the others to finish analysing Gippal's lapse in sanity.
"Gippal, fryd'c fnuhk?" (Gippal, what's wrong?) Rikku asked quietly, feeling the sting in her heart again. She couldn't explain it but…she felt like she was losing him, losing him to something she couldn't fight.
"E ihtancdyht oui huf, E ajah ihtancdyht res. Ech'd dryd vihho? E lyh yldiymmo ihtancdyht fro ra'c dnoehk du gemm ic!" (I understand you now, I even understand him. Isn't that funny? I can actually understand why he's trying to kill us!)
"Kad y kneb!" (Get a grip!) Paine exploded, marching over and slapping him. Hard. Rikku grasped in shock while the others could only stop, now deathly still. Gippal, thankfully, stopped his insane laughter and merely blinked down at her in surprise. "This is no time for you to have a breakdown, so stop being such a damn coward!"
"I…" Gippal began, rubbing his stinging cheek.
"I don't care if this stupid man is you dad, and I don't care if you're having an identity crisis. We need to stop him and that's all there is to it."
"How…"
"Baralai and I spied on you when you told Rikku."
"Well, actually, I…" Baralai tried, but was silenced with a glare. Paine gave Gippal one finally deadly look before stalking off.
"Is she pregnant?" Gippal joked.
"Cra tuach'd haat du pa ghulgat ib du ghulg cusa cahca ehdu oui." (She doesn't need to be knocked up to knock some sense into you.) Rikku told him, though quietly enough so Pain wouldn't hear.
"The man we're after is your dad?" Tidus asked, unpleasant memories returning to him its better anyway.
"Yeah, but I'm too close to losing my sanity to tell it again, Rikku would explain it better anyway." Gippal told him before following Paine, leaving a confused Yuna and Tidus, an annoyed Rikku, a fed-up Baralai and an unconscious Inn employee.
Nooj glared at the reporter sitting opposite him, secretly glad she appeared to be uncomfortable. Good, due to her accusing interview on Gippal she had made the last few days deeply unpleasant. Kilika may have been sensible not to act out against the Al Bheds, but Bevelle was another matter when Baralai wasn't around to assure them.
"I don't see what you think I can do Maester Nooj, I was only trying to do my job. Perhaps the praetor…"
"The praetor is busy; I need you to fix this. Tell Spira you were mistaken, that evidence points to the Faction not being involved in these attacks."
"But sir, I can't say that if it's not true."
"The parts that make up these…machines were stolen months ago, isn't that clear enough?" Shelinda swallowed nervously, wishing once again she'd never been pushed into this job.
"We only have their word sir, I need…"
"Alright!" Nooj snapped impatiently. "I'll get you some damn evidence. Until then the least you can do is explain that High Summoner Yuna is tracking down the one responsible, that should make sure they don't start panicking."
Shelinda nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face.
"Yes, with lady Yuna…" Cut she didn't get to finish her praising, Nooj was already leaving, determined to prove the Al Bhed's innocence.
"I want you to contact Cid, the Al Bhed leader." He instructed to Lucil. "We'll need his help."
Unfortunately Nooj didn't realise what this decision would lead to, he didn't realise it would mean someone would now have to die before this would end. Once Cid was away from the safety of the desert, he would be a target as much as his daughter.
Just a quick note, i want to know if you think Gippal's semi-breakdown is realistic or not, cause i'm considering him having another little one later. but if its too stupid then i won't, let me know! thanks!