Coup D'état
"Do not be afraid; our fate
Cannot be taken from us; it is a gift."
(Dante Alighieri, Inferno)
"Rikku! Rikku!" a low roaring voice called her name. She opened her eyes. Macalania was bright. The magical forest was just like it used to be before Sin's death: small light paths branched out in the dark; mysterious whispers echoed through the branches; small butterflies flied around like fairies.
Auron was crouched in front of her. The scarred man looked impatient as ever, but this time something softened his features. Sadness… light waves of nostalgia flooded Rikku's soul.
"Wake up, Rikku" he said, softly, "Our journey has to continue". His gaze was agitated. She looked at him, hoping to find answers to her own interrogatives.
"Why, Sir Auron?"
He chuckled, but there was no humor in his tone, "Because we have to. It's the path we chose."
"But I don't want to…" she felt tiny tears start collecting in her eyes, they stung. Auron took her small hand in his. He was warm.
And with that, she knew it was a dream, because the few times he touched her, saving from fiends or carrying her when she was hurt, he was always deadly cold. Hah, what a pun. Deadly.
"I promise this time will be better," the red guardian squeezed her hand, "C'mon child".
Rikku looked into his hazel eye, she wanted to find the usual strength in there, but all she saw was a fear just as big as her own.
Chapter 4 – doubts
The meeting with the geezers went just fine. They were satisfied with her little speech. Finally, Bikanel could become a real player in Spira's economy. Rikku was satisfied. It was all she wanted, to give a chance to her people…
She was convincing, of course! She could sell them a rat's tail and they would think to be buyin' a pearl necklace! Well, not that it was a scam! It was the best for her people that she was selling, right here!
Rikku felt like bursting with energy.
Nothing like a good victory to lift the morale! Yuppi-yeh-yay!
She strolled happily in the New Home's corridors, saying hi to everyone, winking at boys, sending kisses to girls, smiling her smiliest smiles at ol' desert people.
She had a place to be, though, and that place was Gippal's headquarters.
When her Pops decided to make her in charge of the whole Al Bhed thingy, he did it at one condition: Gippal would be her second in charge. Rikku knew it was because she wasn't completely ready to rule yet, but there was another truth underneath.
Cid never stopped mourning his son. Sometimes Rikku thought that it was one of the main reasons he resigned from being a leader. Also, Gippal was like Keyakku in so many ways…
She had a good relationship with him, when he wasn't being a total Capitol J Jerk (which he always was when he had spectators… especially Yuna).
Rikku found herself lost in her thoughts, standing in front of Gippal's headquarters.
"Are you gonna stand there for hours, child?"
She rolled her eyes. Well, at least he didn't call her Cid's girl anymore. She opened the door.
The room was very warm, but messy, filled with maps and pieces of machina. Gippal's oily hands were immersed in a robotic patient, a piece of machina lying on the surgical table.
"Hello, jerk!"
Gippal raised his green eyes from his piece of machina and winked at her. He got up and slowly walked towards her. Rikku kept staring back at him and his challenging gaze. She wasn't losing this round!
"Our leader came to see the most powerful man in Bikanel…cool!"
"Yeah…" she looked at the table, "that piece of machina, even that one is more powerful than you!" she sneered, flirty. Gippal was definitely too near now. She could smell him; cheap pine tree perfume (which was almost charming… it smelled like a teenage dream), oil and sweat.
It was such a distinctive Al Bhed smell. Rikku felt weird about it. She liked it, of course, because it reminded her of her Pops, and made her feel safe.
Gippal's voice went down an octave "What can I do for you?"
Rikku cleared her voice and looked right into his eyes. Gippal was a few inches from her face. He loved playing with her. His smirk was shining in its full glory.
"The energy source."
Gippal's smirk went down. He looked serious now. After a few seconds he nodded and started making his way to another room.
He kept talking while walking.
"I was pretty worried about the readings, that's why I called you…"
Rikku followed the blonde guy. "What's worrying you, Gippy?"
They entered a whole different room: lots of monitors beeped all over the walls of what looked like a bunker. Buttons, keyboards, lights flickering. It was a machina temple, Gippal's machina temple. Yes, he looked like a teenage boy most of the times, but in that room he was a different man. He was a leader, ready for tactics, numbers and decisions.
His forehead wrinkled in a worried mask, "This source is very powerful. It is located in the far East, in the group of Islands near the Omega Ruins. My receivers can detect it, but they won't tell me its specific nature," Gippal pressed some keys, "See that?"
On the biggest monitor the image of a tall mountain was reproduced in a 3D model. On top of the mountain there was a palace. Red lines of energy ran through the mountain, reaching the building on top. Rikku sighed.
"Bad?"
Gippal nodded, "We don't know. Last time I got readings similar to these… well..."
Rikku frowned "Vegnagun?"
Gippal nodded.
A weird silence fell in the room. Gippal's warm, reassuring hand squeezed the Princess' shoulder. Green twirly eyes met the same shade.
"We should go check that place… and we should do it before anyone else does. You know, if it's something bad we will have to take care of it before someone stupid like Baralai gets there. And if it's something good…" he smirked sadly "yeah, you get the picture, it's not something good."
Rikku sighed. No matter how hard they tried, peace was like a very fragile thing. Like those beautiful glass statues on the higher shelf of a house: an invisible breath of wind and everything left will be shards.
Rikku was very worried. She didn't want to face danger again. No, not this time. This time it wasn't her business…
"Let others take care of this thing," she told Gippal, suddenly cold and commanding. The man's hand froze on her shoulder. He gave a last squeeze and let her go.
She walked out of the control room and he followed her down the corridor, nervous.
"What do you mean others?!"
She sighed, quickly turning to face him, angry "I mean it's not our business! Bikanel is just starting to recover! I don't want to mingle with no monster, danger or death cult anymore!"
Gippal's eyes became furious. In a second, he pressed her against the metal walls of the corridor. His body was sweaty, his hands like iron claws on her shoulders. It would have been kinda hot, if she wasn't that upset.
"Oui lyh'd pa dryd camvecr!" he shouted.
"Oh yes, I can!" she faced him with no fear. Of course, she could be the selfish one, for once! She saved the world twice! Her people suffered greatly, and she couldn't understand why she had to solve it this time too. She just wanted to be left alone, managing the desert people towards a brighter future, "I think I kinda deserve that! I have the right to!"
Silence fell.
Tears started to swell in Rikku's eyes. She looked down, and patted Gippal's chest to make him move. He didn't.
Gippal raised his hand, almost touched Rikku's face, then lowered it again. His other hand detached from her shoulder, and he started to walk away. She felt a cold shiver run through her spine.
Gippal stopped in his steps, "You know… just don't say it's for the Al Bhed's sake," he said, his back turned to her, "have the guts of admitting you are giving up, Rikku. There's no shame in that. But I hate lies, and I think it's about time we let those go. When you'll change your mind, come talk to me, I'll be leaving for the energy source in three days."
Rikku felt tired, "That's not what I expect from my second in charge." Her words were cold and cut deep. Gippal punched the metal wall hard. He turned to look her. His eyes were fire, his expression furious. She knew he wasn't angry because of her decision, but because of her coldness. He couldn't accept that she closed herself to him like that.
Their relationship was weird. Not a couple, but not merely partners. When she wanted him, before the Pilgrimage, he didn't even her notice existence; when she became a sphere hunter he started to see her, but they never tuned. Time was truly a weird monster because now, now that her soul felt so far and distant, now Gippal reached out to her, wanting her. His want burned them down when met with her coldness.
"You are a coward, Rikku." he started to walk away.
"I really think I am…" she whispered to herself.
She walked to her headquarters with her head down, lost in her thoughts, talking to someone who wasn't even there…
You know, every adventure, even the tiniest of them, every adventure took something from me. I know that to live is to feel pain… But maybe I am just tired, you know? Sometimes you just want the easiest way out! Gippal is right. I lied. I don't even want to know what's that energy source about. And it has nothing to do with the Al Bhed's safety or even the world's. This time is about me. Every adventure takes something out of me. Is it too much to ask? A quiet life, away from the danger… I feel like I have been living so many lives. A thousand year of pain all trapped in me. And I can't. I can't risk it all again, just to lose, lose, always lose something. Gippal… I know he wants me to open to him. We always fight about that. But how could I? I don't even know if I can trust him…
Rikku lied on her bed. She sobbed. She didn't know how much time she spent like that, but eventually she fell asleep…
Mushroom Rock Road was just as filled with fiends as he remembered. Not a big deal, though. Funguar were a nuisance, since they kept trying to put him to sleep, but protecting the merchant proved to be an easy task. He also helped him carrying his merch, which was stuffed in a wooden chest he could tie around his back. This was good training.
Auron was surprised to find himself not as powerful as when he had left this world. It was as if his body was completely new and couldn't master yet all the fighting techniques he learnt in his past life. He was just starting to unlock armor break.
Unlocking new abilities was dangerously close to an existential revolution within oneself. You could feel something inside your chest, like a warm spot. When spheres were found, and brought near that spot, they would unlock a hidden ability, diving inside one's psyche. Of course, you had to have it in you. That was the reason why he was a warrior and Braska was a strong magician. Every person was gifted with a different set of skills. He could chop fiends' meat, but Braska could heal people and summon magical beasts filled with magnanimity. It sounded just right.
"You are a wondrous fighter, Faram!" Wantz was impressed. Auron kept being silent, "who taught you?"
The merchant followed him on the musky road. Big rocks reflected big shadows on their path. The air was light, and Auron felt relaxed. He thought he owed the man at least a little chat.
"I was trained in swordsmanship for five years in Bevelle."
Wantz whistled, impressed, "Were you in some kind of special unit? You do seem to know your thing with that big ol' sword I gave you"
Auron chuckled, genuinely entertained with the man's tone, "I was a warrior monk"
"Oooh! Just like the man himself, huh?"
Auron nodded. The kid wasn't dense, it was just impossible for him to understand that he was the man himself.
Their journey to Luka continued like that. Sometimes Auron ignored the merchant's questions, but he answered with honesty to other interrogatives. They met a few customers on the road, and while Wantz served them, Auron was captured in observation, fascinated with their attires. They were dressed with modern clothes, still spiran, but slightly different. He could see Al Bhed inserts, which he was surprised with, and more freedom of expression. Of course, they were near Luka, the true revolution would have been seeing Island people dressed differently, which he thought very unlikely. There was something about those men and women he met, a lightness in their gaze… the result of living in a world without Sin, he thought, feeling a small warmth in his chest.
When he walked through the fields where the Operation Mi'ihen was held, he sadly noted that the air was still filled with grief. A few stones were there, filled with Al Bhed and Spiran names, so many young men and women fallen in the name of a false god.
He knew it would have been a vain sacrifice. Seymour knew, Kinoc knew, Mika knew. But most of all, he knew. He let that happen because history is shaped on sacrifice. The price to pay was their life, lost just to prove something, manipulated by the forces of history. The painful thing was that those forces weren't abstract entities, but men. Men like himself, powerful, and able to twist politics between their fingers.
He still felt nauseous. Yuna's hopeful eyes that day were clouded with pain; he felt responsible for that. A month later he and the party met Rikku on the banks of the Moonflow. In those nights of pyreflies and magical woods, the girl was still mourning her Al Bhed brothers fallen during the operation.
Everybody else, masters and commanders, they knew what my brothers were about to face, but no one blinked an eye sacrificing them, she told him. He felt disgusting, couldn't sleep for many nights. That little girl, so bubbly and full of life, was far more intelligent and insightful than he expected. Her joyful façade was up all the time, but, for some reason, she wouldn't keep it up for him. This disappointed him in a way, because the truth stung, but also made him feel worth of her truth. It was a rare gift. One he would never forget.
Looking around those battle grounds, he thought of her. Where was she now?
Shiruba woke her later in the day. Rikku opened her eyes to the smiling face of her assistant. An ominous headache made her wince.
"Yes, Shiruba…"
The girl eyed her, worried, "Is everything okay, Your Maj?"
Rikku nodded, "My schedule is all messy now, I guess"
Shiruba laughed softly, she sat on the guest chair, looking through different docs, "No, not really. But I forgot to remind you about tonight's dinner. Your father awaits in his apartment."
Rikku got up from the bed for the second time that day. She felt tired, cloudy.
Why do I feel that threatened by that Energy Source? My instinct is all messed up. Maybe is just Gippal. He messes me up on a daily basis. Especially when he treats me like that. But I truly feel like something bad is going to happen… something strong enough to change my life.
Rikku nodded, "I will go, Shiruba. Thank you."
The girl didn't leave yet. She kept biting her lips, nervous, "What?" Rikku asked abruptly.
"Gippal was very angry this afternoon, he made one of the research squad guys cry. He is furious, and you look… sad. I just wondered…"
"Shiruba."
The girl giggled, and lifter her arms in a universal gesture of surrender, "Sorry, sorry! Not Shiruba's business!"
Rikku opened her dresser. She started changing into leather trousers and a long-sleeved yellow top. Desert nights were cold. She sighed, "Gippal is stubborn. I made a decision and he doesn't agree with me, so he will go his way."
Shiruba nodded, "Maybe he just wants his way to be your way, miss".
"Watch it, Shiruba," Rikku hissed. The girl jumped out of the chair and bowed her goodnight.
"I will alert your father that you're on your way, miss Rikku"
Rikku nodded. When the girl left her quarters she kicked the wall "Damn it!"
A few days of travel ahead, they started to walk down Mi'ihen Highroad. Auron was shocked to see so many hovers running past them. Al Bhed technicians stood on the roadside, teaching tourists and travelers how to use the machina.
Wantz was a bit suspicious of them, but agreed to rent one to cross the Highroad. Auron was mildly disappointed; he wanted to taste this new Spira slowly, walking through its new scenery, diving into it.
"It will take us to Luka really fast, at least," said the merchant, "Since Sin's disappear, Al Bhed were very smart about their business. Smarter than us, I must say"
"People accepted machina so fast?"
"Where have you been living, boy?"
Auron chuckled, "In a very far place," he jumped on the hover and sat in the driver's seat.
The ride to Luka was easy. The wind was warm, and the sun enlightened the Mi'ihen Highroad. Auron was surprised by the lack of chocobos, but other than that – and the presence of machina – nothing seemed to have changed. The Ruins still embellished the view of that long road, making it seem ancient, recounting a past of battles and loss. Auron loved that place. He loved the spirit of Mi'ihen revolutionary and naïve ideas; loved the way the Road was forever scarred with those beautiful ruins, lonely giants half-sunk in the ground.
The sun was going down when they decided to stop at Rin's Agency. The colors of the sunset painted everything orange and purple. Auron and Wantz left the hover outside the agency. Auron turned to look at the cliff.
His hazel eyes started brimming with the sea's reflections. A view like that … He deserved to enjoy a view like that once more. Little tears rose to his eyes, and he just couldn't stop himself from feeling touched by the beauty before him.
Wantz spoke in a low tone "Lad… Everything fine?"
Auron nodded, "I need to hide my identity in the Agency," he told the merchant, "I am not quite welcome amongst Al Bheds".
Wantz nodded, asking no more. He was grateful. He didn't enjoy lying.
Cid's apartment was very big for a lonely man. The desert wind howled through its halls; Rikku walked in the house she grew up in. It was styled with her mother taste; big halls and wooden pavements, but the furniture and tapestry were an homage to her Father's royal blood. The Pollendina House of Bikanel, now Cidolphus, had its own crests and colours: a desert eagle painted in yellow and turquoise.
Her father was waiting for her in the dining room. When she made her entrance, he got up to greet her. A big hug, warm and welcoming, made her feel way more relaxed.
"What's going on, little one? You look like an angry monkey!" Cid laughed loud as usual.
Rikku sighed, smiled a little smile, "Yeah Pops, Gippal's being a pain in my butt!"
Cid laughed again, this time not as loud, "You two hot-blooded youngsters!"
The two of them sat down; Cid had already served the dinner; spicy rice, desert fruits and Al Bhed mulled wine. He was a hella good cook.
Rikku filled her plate and started to eat, "So, Pops! Back from Zanarkand already?"
Cid grunted an affirmative response, "I spoke to X'anu. He told me you convinced the Desert fighters to open a commercial route here"
Rikku nodded, "No good?" she said in a little mousy voice.
Cid laughed and took a sip of wine from a terracotta glass, "Of course it's good! You're a smart monkey! I hoped you did that!"
Rikku laughed softly, reassured. She loved her Pops, he was like those ancient rocks in the desert that you could spot here and there. They never moved and thus showed you the way to Home. She loved him dearly.
"Rikku," Cid was now serious, "I got news of a weird thing in the eastern mountains… a source of power, bleeding through the earth"
Rikku stopped eating, "I know… Gippal is going to investigate that, even though I think we should not,"
Cid's face became dark, "Wait until the arrival of the Ambassadors from Luka's trade committee. Intel about the energy source will arrive with the Ambassadors. I got word from Meachen, he agrees on cooperating with us. The old man wrote to me, he says it's important that we Al Bhed manage this whole energy thing matter."
Rikku sighed, "I understand Pops…" she felt heavy.
"Rikku… Don't worry about this. I bet it's just an old magic source, or maybe a cool machina from Zanarkand's times, who knows… But we have to deal with this lizard's shit before it gets sticky"
Rikku crunched her nose at her father's words' choice, but in the end she couldn't help but laugh, "Okay Pops! I think the Al Bhed's leader will agree with you geezer" she winked at her old man.
Cid grunted, irritated, but underneath his hard façade he was just so proud of his little girl.
End of Chapter 4
Hello everyone!
I am so sorry it took me so long to upload the new chapter, but it was a pretty messy month to me! Tomorrow is my birthday, so I decided to take some time off work and come here to write. I swear next chapter things will start to gest spicier! Hehe!
I thank everyone for the reviews, as always! In particular, I wanted to say a big thank you for the mysterious guest who left the last 2 reviews! Thank you! I am not indonesian, I am an Italian girl writing from her Naples house!
Thank you all so much! Can't wait to read what you think about this story. Where do you think it will get? Do you like it so far?