Words left unspoken
Okay, first of all I should warn you that I'm back at college next week, so updates might be a little late for a while until I settle into the routine. However I have nearly written the next chapter, so it shouldn't be too long.
Anyway, the thoughts of this chapter beginning are Cids, not Gippals. Also I'm sorry I haven't done Cid's character very well, but I just can't seem to get him right. Hope it won't spoil the chapter though. And also I apologise in advance for another cliffhanger, but I always planned to have one for this chapter…and probably the next one too.
In this chapter Cameo's reasons are finally revealed! Hope you like it, and for those who already figured it our (shakai, lol) well done!
Asga: thanks! Hope you like this one!
DarkenedPetals: lol, I'm glad you liked the line, writing Paine is so fun sometimes. The sequel is probably what you're thinking, maybe. There's only two real options, but this chapter eliminates one. I'm glad you like it!
FairyIce: Well, here you are! I thought Cid should have the chance to have his moment, so here it is.
Shakai: lol, sorry about the cliffhangers, I have two more planned after this one. but I promise I'll try and update quickly! Except the faster I update, the sooner this will be over –cries- oh well, I guess I can always work on the sequel!
babixwolf: I think most of your questions will be answered in this chapter, hope you enjoy!
kairiyuna14: I loved your new chapter! It was so cute! I look forward to reading more!
Old friends
He had aimed to shoot me in the heart, he may have missed but it still broke. Cameo was my friend; he was there when I led the Al Bhed into the desert, when we all began to build our Home…He was there when I met you.
Oh Lidea, how could I let this happen? That poison in the herb, the one that killed you and so many others…He put it there, I know he did. He killed you. And it was my fault. All my fault. I'm the reason he is the way he is, and I'm the reason he would want to have killed you.
I've made so many mistakes, but I've always tried Lidea, always. I made mistakes raising our children, I made mistakes with our people, and I made a terrible mistake that led to you being forced from us. I know I can never have you back, but maybe I can stop anyone else from dying in his hands. I can stop our daughter from having that responsibility. Her and Gippal shouldn't have to see how it will end.
Gippal, you always saw something in that kid, something I never could. But these past two years I think I can see what you knew he'd become. I think I can now see how right he is for our Rikku, how they complete each other. It's taken me a while but now I see. They belong together and I've been keeping them apart by threatening him with Cameo's work. I almost destroyed our daughter's chance of happiness, but I'm going to make it up to both of them.
I just hope the kid can understand why I have to do this, why I have to kill his old man. I hope he realises I'm trying to help both of them now. Cameo can't carry on like this, and Gippal shouldn't have to face that man again.
It's like that first day he came to Home when you alone managed to clean him up, made him trust you enough to see the abuse he'd suffered. You told me no child should have those scars, either in body or soul. You were so upset, and you cradled Gippal for hours, silently crying for him. You were always so caring, and when you laid eyes on such a haunted child your heart broke. You did everything for him in order for him to grow up happy.
When you were dying I hated him. It was because he was here that Cameo poisoned the herb, at least that's what I convinced myself. Especially when he lived, only he survived the poison while everyone else who was infected died. The toxin in his system from Cameo saved him; Cameo's curse saved him. I hated it. Cameo killed so many because of the toxin, but in the end Gippal would be dead without it, it just doesn't seem right that good can come out amongst so much evil…So I convinced myself that his spared life was a threat.
And you weren't there to knock some sense into my head. Lance tired, but he couldn't convince me and protect Gippal from my accusations at the same time. I lost my other friend because of it…I've made so many mistakes.
Hopefully this will begin to make up for that. Once Cameo is gone we can finally begin to forget…all of us.
…Lidea, I hope you're watching. Please help me get this right. I can't fail our daughter again. Not this time.
"Ra cduma so yencreb! E lyh'd pameaja res!" (He stole my airship! I can't believe him!) Brother exploded. "Fryd tuac ra drehg ra'c tuehk yhofyo?" (What does he think he's doing anyway?)
"Ra'c dnoehk du kad najahka." (He's trying to get revenge.) Rikku muttered darkly. "Ra yldiymmo drehgc ra lyh ryhtma drec ymuha." (He actually thinks he can handle this alone.) She was currently crouched beside Gippal's still form, a frown on her face. She and Gippal were the ones who were supposed to end this. Together. Not Cid, never Cid. "E lyh'd pameaja ra't tu drec." (I can't believe he'd do this.)
"Well, Gippal did say Cameo was Cid's friend, and that he tried to kill him. It's only natural he wants revenge." Paine pointed out. "You're not the only one who has suffered because of him."
Rikku glared at her, an uncharacteristic temper beginning to flare. She had suffered, Gippal had suffered. It wasn't all just about Cid.
You sound awful. She told herself, gasping at the realization. It would be like Yunie trying to kill me; Pops must be hurting so badly.
"Maybe we should go help him. It may be a long trek, but we could still be of some use when we arrive." Baralai told them. Yuna was about to say something then, but Rikku interrupted her.
"No, this is something Pops has to do." She said firmly, no one argued with her. "We'll wait until he gets back or contacts us." Her gaze fell onto Gippal once more, a sad smile on her face.
Pops needs to face him as much as you did. But I need to go still, because I'm too involved now.
…We said we would end this together, but now we can't. So I'll go for you. I'll put an end to this.
"Ed femm pa ujan cuuh." (It will be over soon.) Rikku told him, hoping he'd understand. "E-E muja oui Gippal." (I-I love you Gippal.)
In his comatose state Gippal understood perfectly what Rikku was planning to do, and his fingers twitched in protest. But unfortunately Rikku didn't notice, and so the plan forming in her mind was to become an inevitable act.
Cid landed the airship near the campsite, noting the freshly burnt-out fire and small discarded machina parts. He really was here.
"Desa du bid yh aht du drec." (Time to put an end to this.) Cid muttered as he readied his gun. The walk through Zanarkand was almost unreal, as if Cid were floating rather than walking. He was too lost in memories to focus, the pain of the betrayal so long ago coming back with full force…
And the guilt for what had happened to create such a monster…
"I need you on this mission Cameo; no one is as clever when it comes to mixing potions." Cid insisted. "Besides, I'm in charge around here so ya have to listen to me."
Cameo looked over at his friend with a weary sigh as he continued to re-arrange his potions in their cases. He often did this when he needed to stay calm; a comfort thing. One that both Lance and Cid often teased him over; yet not even Cid dared to comment on it at this moment.
"This will be the last time I drag you from Acacia." Cid promised.
"You said that last time." Cameo sighed, in the process of placing antidotes of colour coordination. "And the mission before that where Lance got drunk and attacked a rock." Cid grinned at the memory, but Cameo's rattling about made him focus on the situation at hand.
"Cameo, this isn't like the other missions, it could mean us changing Spira's history forever. We need you with us."
"It's also more dangerous." Cameo pointed out. "It's more likely we'll all die, and I refuse to leave Acacia alone. Not now…we're thinking about starting a family soon…and you have your family, your wife and son, you can't afford to be playing the hero. Sin is too strong for three men."
Cid took a moment to smile at the thought of Lidea and Brother, who had just turned one years old a few weeks ago. If only he could make the world safe for them…even if it meant he wasn't around.
"Cameo…" He began.
"I know." His friend sighed, but Cid wasn't about to be silenced.
"Sin has been hovering close to Bikenel Island for a while now, and yesterday a patrol team spotted Sinspawn. If we don't do something to get rid of them then Sin just might attack Home. At the very least we can distract it enough to change its course."
"Okay!" Cameo exploded, closing his case and shuffling his own hair in frustration. "When are we leaving?"
Cid grinned, too used to Cameo's temper to be effected. He only got angry for a very good reason, but in these troubled times a good reason was easy to find. Cid was just glad they were friends rather than enemies.
""I'll give ya till morning to say goodbye to Acacia. And if we're quick then we'll be back by sundown." Cid assured him. Cameo smiled at that, Cid's positive attitude always made him more confident.
"Alright Cid, but this is the last time."
And it was Cid thought sadly. If only I'd listened and let him stay behind.
"Ed'c duu myda vun naknadc huf." (It's too late for regrets now.) Cid sighed, no nearing the end of the destroyed road. The Al Bhed leader paused a moment to take a deep breath, knowing who would be waiting for him a short distance away.
The area just before the temple was where Cameo was waiting, as Cid predicted. He appeared to be alone, but Cid knew there would be a powerful machina nearby.
But Cid wasn't looking around for it; he could only stare at his old friend.
"Cameo, the years haven't been kind to you."
Gippal was growing impatient and anxious. It had been an hour since Cid had taken the Celsius to Zanarkand, and half an hour since Rikku had left his tent. Had she really gone after him? What was gong on?
"...Yht E'mm hajan vunkeja oui vun biddehk dryd cmuf budeuh eh so vuut frah oui fana dfamja." (...And I'll never forgive you for putting that slow potion in my food when you were twelve.) Brother rambled, the only person now left in the tent with Gippal. He'd rather have been left alone to dwell on his fears than listen to Brother complain. "Yht E tuh'd lyna ev Neggi megac oui, oui'na hud kuehk yhofrana hayn ran ykyeh. E fuh'd mad oui rind ran mega mycd desa!" (And I don't care if Rikku likes you, you're not going anywhere near her again. I won't let you hurt her like last time!"
Why don't you ask your dad about that. Gippal grumbled to himself, unable to say it aloud. Besides, I'm not letting either of you stop me being with Rikku this time. I'll never give her up…
"Brother, fuimt oui bmayca mayja dra buun kio ymuha?" (Brother, would you please leave the poor guy alone?) Came the voice of an angel, and an angry one by the sound of it. "Zicd palyica ra ryc hu lruela eh mecdahehk tuach'd sayh oui cruimt nyspma uh!" (Just because he has no choice in listening doesn't mean you should ramble on!)
"Cdyo uid uv drec Rikku!" (Stay out of this Rikku!) Brother insisted. "Ra haatc du pa dumt y vaf drehkc." (He needs to be told a few things.)
"Brother ev oui'na dryd punat ku unkyheca y bmyh fedr Buddy...E fyhd du dymg du res ymuha." (Brother if you're that bored go organise a plan with Buddy ...I want to talk to him alone.) Rikku told him, Gippal could just imagine the glare she would be giving him. But then again, both siblings had inherited their father's stubborn nature as well as his temper.
"E fuh'd mayja oui ymuha fedr res! Ra'c hu kuut vun oui Rikku! Ra uhmo ghufc ruf du rind baubma!" (I won't leave you alone with him! He's no good for you Rikku! He only knows how to hurt people!)
"Oui tuh'd naymmo pameaja dryd, oui lyh'd pa dryd cdibet!" (You don't really believe that, you can't be that stupid!) Rikku argued. "Gippal ryc ymfyoc rambat sa frah E haatat ed, ra mucd rec aoa cyjehk so meva...Ed'c hud rec vyimd rec vydran ec ajem, un fryd ra vunlat res du tu." (Gippal has always helped me when I needed it, he lost his eye saving my life...It's not his fault his father is evil, or what he forced him to do.)
"Oac ed ed! Oac. Ed. Ec." (Yes it it! Yes. It. Is.) Brother screamed so loud Gippal cringed inwardly. "Ra luimt ryja mavd res. Ra luimt ryja kuddah ramb du cdub res!" (He could have left him. He could have gotten help to stop him!)
"Yht mayja rec sudran?" (And leave his mother?) Rikku burst. "Mayja ran du tea yd rec ryhtc? Luimt oui ryja tuha dryd ev oui't paah eh rec bmyla?" (Leave her to die at his hands? Could you have done that if you'd been in his place?" The silence that followed was absolute; and so thick with tension and anger that Gippal almost begged for Brother's rambling to return.
But when Brother spoke again it was not in his usual yell, but a cold whisper that chilled both Rikku and Gippal to the heart.
"Ra tet uhla, yht ra tet eh dra aht. Ra mavd oui Neggi; ra lyh tu dryd ykyeh duu." (He did once, and he did in the end. He left you Rikku; he can do that again too.)
Those words cut through Gippal worse than any weapon could. It's true, I abandoned the two people I loved the most. What's stopping me from doing it again? Fear has always manipulated me, ran from mum because of it, and then again when she died. I ran from you when Cid challenged me. Will I ever stop running? How can I stop when I'm stuck like this, unable to face the past, the man who is the reason for my fear?
"He won't run again." Rikku spoke confidently, so confident that Gippal's heart swelled up. "Because soon he'll have no reason to."
Oh Rikku, you have more confidence in me than I do. Gippal sighed. I would rather let Brother feed me to a sand worm than betray your trust.
I have to fight Cameo. We have to fight him together. I would never leave you Rikku.
"Is everything okay in here?" Came the clam voice of Yuna. Gippal would have sighed in relief if he could. No one could make Brother listen like Yuna could. It was a creepy fact, but still a very useful one.
"Yunie, make him leave us alone." Rikku whined, instantly back into her typical childish role. If only they'd hear her a few moments ago, they would see just how wonderful she is. Gippal thought.
"I could make him leave." Paine's voice broke in, and Gippal couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
"Yuuunnna I can't let her stay with him alone." Brother whined, Gippal could practically feel Rikku roll her eyes at her idiotic brother.
"Brother, she just wants to talk to him. Besides, I need your help, something only you can help me with." Yuna told him.
"R-really?" Brother stuttered.
"Yeah, I tried but we just can't figure out what to do." Tidus added, sounding like he was trying not to laugh. "We need the Gullwings' leader."
"Weeellllll." Brother drawled out. "If Yuna thinks it okay…okay!"
"How noble of you." Paine muttered, which Gippal laughed at. Hard.
"…Did he just moan?" Tidus asked.
Did I just moan? Gippal asked.
"It's his coma way of agreeing Brother should leave, so go!" Rikku insisted.
"Rao! Tuh'd bicr sa!" (Hey! Don't push me!) Brother complained, though Gippal could hear footsteps fading, until only two people remained.
"What's up Yunie?" Rikku asked nervously.
Why is she nervous? Gippal thought, unknown to him his girlfriend was nervous due to the knowing look her cousin was giving her.
"Rikku, I just want to say something before you go through with this. Once you tell Gippal there will be no going back."
…Tell me what? Gippal demanded silently.
"…I know Yunie, but I have to. For all our sakes." Rikku said quietly, obviously trying to make sure Gippal couldn't hear. However she had forgotten just how good he could hear when he only had half a sense of sight.
"Oh, I'm not here to stop you, I just wanted to tell you that…that I understand. And I know in time, he will understand too. This is your story now, and I know it doesn't involve us, but we'll be waiting for you…and we'll come as back-up if you don't return soon."
Rikku giggled at that, but Gippal felt far from laughing. He didn't have to be told to know what Rikku was about to do.
We'll finish this together…
Rikku, we have to finish this together!
"Give me an hour's head start." Rikku demanded.
"Half an hour." Yuna told her.
"Yunie!"
"…Forty minutes."
"Okay, I'll take it!" Rikku laughed. "And after this final battle I'm taking a break…well, after I get a cure out of the man of course." She went quiet after this, as if realising for the first time Gippal was in the room. "Yunie…"
"Don't worry. I'll watch over him when you leave…I'll just go save Tidus from Brother while you…talk." She said softly, and Gippal could hear a slight ruffling as they hugged. "Just be careful Rikku."
"I will Yunie. There's no way I'll let any of you down." They continued with some sappier goodbye comments, but Gippal wasn't listening anymore.
Rikku no, you can't…is this how we're always going to be? Me running from my fear and you running towards it? when will it end, when will we stop this?
"Gippal." Came Rikku's beautiful voice. She was alone now with him, and so close he could feel her warmth. "I have to do this; I just hope you'll understand why in time. I have to do it for both of us…even if it means we won't last because of it."
Oh Rikku, I'm not worried about out relationship surviving. I'm worried about you surviving. I know you're a good fighter, but…I want to be there with you. Oh fayth, I need to be there. You need me there.
"I'm sorry Gippal." Rikku said softly, as if hearing his thoughts. She was lightly stroking his cheek, and he felt a warm drop hit his forehead; a salty tear. "I…goodbye."
No Rikku…
"I'll save you, I will."
Don't you dare say goodbye"
"No matter what." And with that she rushed out of the tent before she could see Gippal's lips part and hear the muffled plea.
"Together."
"Can't I have at least one drink?" Lance complained. "We are going on a suicide mission, I want at least one sip."
"That stuff ain't good for ya the way you drown it down." Cid argued as they were seated in the back of the hover. Usually the machina was only reserved for special digging operations, but seen as Cid was the leader he'd chosen to make an exception.
"Who are you, my mother?" Lance snorted as he readied his weapons, a machina gun and some flying metal discs. No matter how drunk Lance would be he could always hit his target with them, which unnerved Cid to no end.
"I doubt Bree would be happy with what you're doing to yourself." Cameo called out over the noise of the machina. Somehow he had been persuaded to drive as well as coming along.
"She shouldn't have left them." Lance snorted, clicking his weapons one his belt. Cameo and Cid gave each other a knowing look. Both had been there when the word of Bree's death reached them, yet since that day Lance referred to her as though she'd merely left without a word. And because of it he always seemed bitter toward her memory. Hence the drinking.
"We're closing in on the Sinspawn." Cameo reported. "I'm going to do a sweep attack while you two jump off."
"Great, you get to have distance and speed." Lance complained.
"Well, if you'd prefer to have my task of trying to collect some toxin if Sin shows up then be my guest." Cameo countered angrily. "Besides, my alchemy will make it an easier task for you two."
"And we really appreciate that." Cid broke in. "But can ya speed up this piece of junk before the Sinspawn moves again." Cameo looked deeply offended be the comment, a very sensitive Al Bhed when it came to his machina being insulted. But luckily he allowed it to slip by, now concentrating on the task at hand.
"There's the bugger." Lance mumbled, seeing the distant Sinspawn. He grunted nervously when he looked further into the distance, seeing the unmistakable bulk of Sin slowly approaching. "Looks like you'll have the chance to get that toxin Cameo."
Little did the three friends know that the toxin would be getting him.
"Cid, fancy meeting you again. No longer able to hide in the desert now that your beloved Home is gone" The man smirked, a smirk so cold and evil Cid found himself suppressing a shiver.
"I thought I'd pay you a personal visit Cameo, for old time's sake." Cid told him while pointing his gun at the man. "The years haven't been kind to ya." He repeated.
"Same to you, I see the dismay of losing Lidea has caused you to also lose your hair." Cameo smirked, not even blinking at the gun pointed at his head. Cid growled at the comment, the gun shaking due to his growing fury.
Stay calm; he's just trying to make you lose focus. But regardless of this Cid just had to ask; he had to know.
"Did you do it? Did you poison the Moonflow herb supply?" Cameo just smirked again, a slight laugh escaping his lips. "OUI PYCDYNT!" (YOU BASTARD!)
"You shouldn't be so angry. I let her die in order to save her soul; she was always so kind, I needed to save her. You wouldn't let me save you before, but I couldn't just ignore her."
"Save her! You killed her! M-my Lidea!" Cid spluttered, squeezing the trigger. The bullet was perfectly aimed, but bounced off harmlessly from an invisible barrier. "Fryd dra..?" (What the..?)
"Cid, do you really think no one has tried to shoot me before? I am more than prepared for this encounter, although I must admit I thought I'd be facing your daughter instead."
"Rikku shouldn't have to be involved. Her and Gippal have been through enough, and now I'm here to finish you off and get the cure." Cid told him, pulling out a grenade ready, just in case.
"Oh, my dear Cid, haven't you figured it out yet? Gippal doesn't need a cure, it's already in him. Something I gave him." Cameo boasted.
"Sin's toxin? How will that help him escape your poison?" Cid questioned.
"The toxin has always been in Gippal, he was born with it in his system. It acts as white cells for him rather than being a deadly virus, and it helps his body fight off other viruses or poisons. This is how he survived the poison which killed your wife."
Cid just grunted at this, it made sense; Gippal had always overcome simple illnesses like fevers quicker than most did. But…
"So you were just targeting Lidea then? And not Gippal?"
"No, I targeted them both, just because it wouldn't kill him didn't mean it wouldn't have another purpose." Cameo told him with a wink.
"What purpose?" Cid demanded, gripping the grenade tightly.
"That would be telling, and would spoil the surprise. Besides, it would take years to develop, and by that time he will be dead. I was merely beginning it back then due to the unknowing time it would take to become effective."
"For what to become effective?" Cid growled, but was ignored as Cameo continued to babble on.
"But I suppose I did try one last time with this poison, but it won't cause the effect I originally wanted. However, it will stop him long enough for me to deal with you, and your lovely daughter once she arrives."
"You won't lay a finger on my Rikku!" Cid screamed, throwing the grenade…
Cid threw his grenade at the Sinspawn as he jumped off the machina. He noticed Lance stumble off, throwing a metal disc at the fiend and making it cry out in anguish pain.
"Nice hit." Cid took the time to say as he pulled out his gun and aimed.
"I would let Cameo have his round first if I were you." Lance warned as he lazily stretched his arms. Cid just shook his head and backed away, waiting for Cameo to perform his attack, which would most likely end the battle.
At least that was the plan…
…If only Sin hadn't gotten involved.
Yuna waited ten minutes before she returned to Gippal's tent. The idea of waiting another half an hour was beyond torture, but she had promised. She knew she had to give her cousin some space, to let her have her own chance. But it was hard to just wait, to ignore the fact people needed help.
I wonder how Gippal must feel. She thought silently. Rikku is going to fight for him, and he can't be there to help.
"Don't worry Gippal, Rikku's strong…" The former Summoner began, but once she fully entered the tent she stopped. It was empty.
Gippal wasn't there…
The plan of Cameo's attack was to use one of his many inventive mixtures and shoot the bottle so it would spray the Sinspawn more effectively. Not only would the mix hit the Sinspawn's outer skin, but the shattered glass would allow it to infect beyond its outer shell. This potion mix was one of paralysis effect, so Cameo would be able to salvage a sample of the Sinspawn's blood before it was killed and burst into pyreflies. It wasn't the Sin toxin that they would rather have, but it was better than nothing.
Cameo was just readying his attack, machina riding steady and potion about to be thrown in the air when he heard it…
"WATCH OUT!" Lance yelled to his friend as Sin now speeded towards them. He let loose a metal disc, trying to slow the monstrous fiend so Cameo could escape. But it made no difference to the approaching Sin.
In the end it was Cameo himself who saved his own life, although he would lose the one that he knew forever. Cid and Lance were a safe distance away, but if Cameo hadn't acted they all would have perished.
Cid had watched while Cameo threw the bottle into the air, the loud echo of his gun which would haunt Cid's nightmares for years. Cameo was always a tactical person, timing the shot perfectly so it would hit both Sin and its Spawn.
Sin howled out in rage at the attack, immune to the paralysis effect, but affected enough to change its original attack. Cid was aware of Cameo turning to give his friends on last goodbye smile before Sin's toxin overtook him, making him fall to the floor.
What happened next was a blur for Cid, even in years to come it would remain so. Lance later on told him how Sin had left after the attack, no longer interested now the Sinspawn was dead (finished off by Lance, or so he claimed). It had simply left, a shell of Cameo remaining as the only evidence of its destruction.
Nothing would be the same again after that day…
Once again Cid's attack seemed to harmlessly bounce off a barrier, only this time the grenade's explosion partly caught him, sending him flying backwards with a groan.
"You never were one to think a battle through Cid." Cameo smirked. "It's a pity you're so weak a challenge, but then again your daughter should prove more entertaining. Isn't that right, young Princess?"
"Pnehk ed uh!" (Bring it on!) Came Rikku's voice, which only made Cid groan more.
So much for protecting her…
"Now this battle has truly begun." Cameo smiled, pulling out a remote from his pocket and pressing a red button…