Chapter 10 – Shit getting real

- "Oh my Queen Rikku, please do wake up." Gippal sighed while poking her arm, a resigned look painted across his face.

That's how he was going to have to address her during the next two days, as she had instructed. Should he forget, he would be punished accordingly. He already hated that stupid bet, and it had just begun. The worst part was, it had been his idea. He glanced at Tidus who was giving out his hand to Yuna, helping her hop off the branch she was just sleeping on. They weren't even doing the bet. Yuna didn't ask anything weird or embarrassing out of Tidus—that wasn't fair!

- "Aaaah!" Rikku unceremoniously let out as she stretched. "Thank you, dear slave", she added as she gently patted Gippal on the head.

As soon as the team got out of their shelter, they met with three soldiers, guarding Bevelle's entrance. They bowed to them, expressing their respect:

- "It is an honor to escort you all to Bevelle", the one in charge said as he opened the march.

Rikku was impressed. She wasn't used to being treated with such respect. She nudged Gippal's arm, and nodded towards the guard. She wanted him to know that it was the kind of respect she expected from him, too. Gippal rolled his eyes. That girl was so annoying.

Tenth stop: Bevelle

The city of Bevelle, birth town of Yuna, the largest city in Spira and once the axis of the Yevon theocracy, stood before them.

The red and white city had always managed to intrigue Tidus. In some ways, it looked like Zanarkand, in size and surface—not to mention they used machinas as well, even though they used to condemn anyone who would—but in others, it was its opposite. It had been its rival, its war opponent and caused its destruction, all those years ago. Yet Tidus was only curious about it now. How was the New Yevon religion working out? After the Spirans had discovered the treachery of the religion, how could one still believe in anything bearing a similar name?

- "St. Bevelle for ya", Gippal started, as they reached the gates.

The guards murmured something into their sleeves—they had microphones—and the heavy, red doors slowly opened, unveiling the city before their very eyes.

The streets were very large, allowing the multitude of people walking around to do so without bumping into one another. Everything seemed to be decorated the same: in red and white, with big, protective walls circling the city. Lots of hut-shaped buildings lay here and there. Tidus spotted many people dressed in priest and priestess outfits, yet many people looked like mere civilians, like them.

He was busy trying to decide if that building next to him was a house or a temple, when Yuna dragged him by the arms and they reached the huge doors of the temple.

- "Baralai is a bit late, but he should be here soon enough".

The voice had sprung behind their backs, and as they turned, Yuna and Rikku was psyched to recognize their friend. She was tall, with short grayish spiky hair and red eyes. The woman was dressed in black, from head to bottom, and seemed pretty bored, or annoyed, Tidus wasn't sure.

- "Paine! You're here!"

- "How have you been?" Yuna asked.

Nooj and Gippal came to greet her too, and he was left with Lucil, staying in the background. He didn't know why exactly, but that woman didn't look like a trustworthy person to him. Now he could be wrong, but seeing how cold and guarded she was, along with what Yuna had told him about her and what he had seen from her sphere, he decided to stay alert with her, at least at first. Someone who refused to share their secrets, even to their true friends weren't, in his opinion, the best kind of people.

- "Oh my little slaaaave? I'm feeling a bit tired of walking, I want you to carry me now."

- "Are you fucking kidding me Rikku?"

They were finally done with their meeting with Baralai. Much to Tidus' surprise, the man was nicer and warmer than you'd expect a high priest to be. He had given them additional information about Bonecrave. But, as much as he wanted to come along with them on their journey, people here needed him to stay. Less and less people were believing, and he wanted to be their light, to inspire them and bring their faith back to them.

Still, he had told them they were more than welcome to spend the day here, as Nooj and him had to settle some things. Gippal stayed at first, but he wasn't really needed. They both had asked him to go ask question to people in Bevelle, to find out what they needed. Although things were slowly getting better, The New Yevon and Youth League's view of things always diverged so, making it hard for its two leaders to decide and stick with a commune decision. Gippal had caught back with Tidus, Yuna and Rikku who were casually walking around the city. But now, he was starting to regret his decision to leave the meeting.

- "Hey hey now. A bet's a bet!" She replied in a light sing-song voice. "And it's Queen Rikku for ya!"

Rolling his eyes, Gippal bent over, circling her back with one arm, and the back of her legs with the other. Tidus laughed, but abruptly stopped as Gippal shot him a dirty look. He shrugged, smiling to himself and looked at Yuna

- "Good thing you're nicer..." He said to Yuna, nodding in Rikku's direction.

- "Actually, that's a good idea. I am a bit tired too. Carry me?" She said innocently as she gave him a light kiss, to ease the pain of her treachery.

It was Gippal's turn to laugh, especially as he caught Tidus' betrayed expression painted on his face. But he shook his head and sighed, quickly empathizing.

- "What did we do to deserve this, man?"

- "It's simple actually! You lost to us at Bliztball!" Rikku replied to his rhetorical question, deliberately rubbing salt in Gippal's already painful wound.

Tidus shrugged again, as he let out an amused sight and slowly proceeded to grant his girlfriend's wish.

- "You know you're going to pay for this soon, right?" Gippal asked Rikku.

- "Looking forward to it, big boy!" She said as she winked, stretching and letting out a pleasant sight.

There didn't seem to be a lot to do in the city, but the four of them were good just strolling across it, talking randomly about everything and nothing. It seemed a bit cliché, but it was as if all people here really did was praying and teaching their beliefs to others. They were entirely living for their religion. Tidus wasn't sure if he thought it was good or bad. Probably neither, he concluded. If they were happy that way, why ever not? He couldn't see himself doing that, but as long as they didn't plan on coming up with another Sin, he would gladly let them pray and practice New Yevon in peace.

They talked about how weird it was to find Paine here with Baralai—Rikku thought something was going on between them, but everyone else disagreed. Then again, she would always think Paine had something going on with either Nooj, Baralai or even Gippal, at first. Yuna was surprised how calm—Gippal's word for it was "boring"—Bevelle was, since in her faded child's memories of the city, it had so much more life, animation and heart. Then again, she wasn't sure, she had left the city at such a young age. What she mostly thought of was the incredible party they threw after her father, Lord Braska, had defeated Sin and brought another Calm.

Basically, the city seemed to have lost so much of its importance, which was logical, really. That brought them to think that Spira needed a city to represent the united power, a sort of capital for the world, where Gippal, Nooj and Baralai would be equal rulers, all in this one place. Bevelle was clearly out, because of its antecedents. Many older people, the majority who still believed in Yu Yevon, had decided to stay here and keep on praying. But to the rest of the world, this city was like a reminder of all the evil and secrecy the religion had brought them. It wasn't fitting for a capital. They needed a fresh new place.

As they approached a small shop, selling armor and shields, Gippal dropped Rikku to the ground. It was so unexpected, for a second Rikku wasn't sure he had done it on purpose. But it was Gippal, after all.

- "Uups." He said flatly, not feeling sorry at all.

- "Aouch!" Rikku whined as she scratched the back of her head and her butt, where she had taken the hit. "That's a very bad slave! Very bad! You're going to do twenty sit ups".

Tidus and Yuna stood there, admiring the scene. The brunette was back on her own two feet, her hand in his. They knew better than to meddle by now. Rikku jumped back up, a bit annoyed but mostly amused. She was so small compared to Gippal, seeing her order him around was funny to watch—but they both knew he didn't need to lose a bet for her to do so.

- "Between each of them", she continued, "I want you to say: I'm deeply sorry I dropped you, oh my queen Rikku."

Gippal rolled his eyes, but he complied. He had it coming, really. But it was totally worth it. He could do twenty sit-ups, no problem. As he started to do the first one, though, she sat on his back, adding some weight.

- "Oh come on Rikks, why you gotta be so cruel?"

- "That's just the beginning big boy!"

Tidus and Yuna looked at each other, both starting to feel sorry for Gippal. As Tidus caught her amused expression, he grew wary and moved further away from her.

- "Don't even try to get me to do anything like this", Tidus warned her, an accusing finger pointed in her direction.

- "I wasn't going to!" She laughed. She threw her arms around his neck and went on. "Besides, I think what Gippal said yesterday is right. I don't need you to be my slave. You already do whatever I tell you to."

- "Oh really? Is that so?" Tidus let out in a chocked laugh, as Yuna kept on nodding, her nose against his, on the verge of laugher.

He abruptly took her in his arms again, startling her. She wasn't sure what he had in mind until she saw a fountain. He was heading towards it, as she laughed and fought to get out of his grasp.

- "Oh don't you dare! Don't do it! Doooon't!"

- "You still think I'm whipped?" Tidus asked, as he held her just above the running waters. Some drops were already jumping out of the fish-shaped statue and crushing on her rosy cheeks.

- "Yes! Yes! I still think you are", she bravely stood her ground as she closed her eyes, preparing herself for an unnecessary bath.

One second flew by, followed by another. As nothing came, she opened one wary eye and looked at him, puzzled.

- "Yeah", he slowly let out, breathing out. "I am totally and utterly whipped to you, Yuna."

And he kissed her passionately, hungrily capturing her mouth. She laughed against his lips, both relieved and amused by the unexpected turnaround. She moved away from his kiss to whisper against his lips.

- "Good. I like you whipped."

- "You do?"

- "I do", she nodded in a small laugh, her sweet creases under her eyes.

Gippal and Rikku looked at them, a disgusted expression on their faces. He was in the middle of a sit-up, Rikku still on his back.

- "How disgustingly cute are they?"

- "I know right? I'm puking rainbows."

- "Yeah, it's… too much." Gippal concluded, looking away.

Both lingered in a beat too long, envious although they refused to admit it. Gippal was always so mean to her. Why couldn't she find herself a guy who would treat her nicer? Rikku was always so mean to him. And he loved it, but he wouldn't have minded a bit of warmth sometimes.

- "Come on, slave! Fifteen more to go!"

- "I am sorry I dropped you…" He said as he bent down his arms, getting closer to the ground.

- "Oh my…?"

- "Oh my Queen Rikku." He rolled his eyes, annoyed.

- "Good booooy!"

- "You can't possibly think this is actually a good idea!"

Gippal let down his fork and rolled his eyes. He was needed again, to bring some peace between Nooj and Baralai. He should have stayed with them during the afternoon, as they still didn't seem to agree on anything. Yes, the New Yevon and the Youth League followers had finally reached a point where they both wanted to understand each other and work in harmony. But their leaders? At times, Gippal wasn't sure.

Apparently, they hadn't really reached any decision during the afternoon, as they kept going back and forth on the same subjects. During the rest of the meal, Yuna, Tidus and Gippal played negociators, trying to defend each of the two's opinions of things, while Rikku chatted with Paine and Lucil. The grey-haired lady always seemed to have such admiration for Lucil, and was happy to have the chance to talk to her. O'aka joined their conversation too, but he didn't have much to say, so he mainly nodded and listened. It was true that Lucil was such a strong woman, a true role model. As she spoke, all three of them were hanging on her every words.

- "You know, as I usually say, where there's a will, there's a way."

- "And do you think there's a way, for those two hardheaded over there?" Rikku asked, indicating Nooj and Baralai arguing with a nod from her head.

Lucil looked at them as she drank some water, and smiled fondly.

- "Hey, at least they're communicating now. They'll get there eventually, I'm sure of it."

Finally, after diner, some compromise had been made, thanks mostly to Yuna. The team decided to get going right away, and not stay the night, although Baralai had offered. Some guards at least escorted them to the Calm Lands, and left them at the Al-Bhed travel agency.

- "Should we camp out? We're not going to walk all night, are we?" Rikku asked, growing worried.

Plus, if they were to check out the Cave of the Hidden Fayth, she would much rather do it during the daytime. This place was creepy either way.

- "I called up Clasko", Lucil said, gesturing to her watch. The Commsphere system Shinra had started while on board of the Gullwings ship had really improved, thanks to Gippal's help, and now Clasko had one of those at the entrance of its Ranch. It was really usefull for his business. "He said he only has two chocobos available now anyway. Might have a third and fourth one if we wait for tomorrow morning."

- "Alright then, we'll wait." Nooj decided, planting his sword and sitting down.

- "Yuna you start!"

- "Ok, let me think… Never have I ever... Flown from a fight!"

- "Oh Yuniiiie"

- "Everyone has, that's not fair!"

- "That's the point! ". She replied in a dazzling, innocent smile.

They had decided to camp out. Fortunately, the Al-Bhed working at the Calm Lands shop sold tents and blankets. They had been lucky enough to arrive there just as she was about to take her Hover home. They had spent the first half-hour trying to figure out how to plant the tents—for people who had travelled so much, they sure were struggling. Nooj was sure it was the tents' problem: they were too complicated, too Al-Bhedi.

But that's why they had Gippal and Rikku. After looking at them struggling without doing anything, the rest of the team grew finally so desperate they had asked for their help. Five minutes later, they were all set. Funny enough, Gippal hadn't gloated that much. Rikku, on the other hand, had gone on and on about how the Al-Bhed were amazing people full of great inventions and she was glad that people were finally starting to realize their potential. They were tough and proud people, people who could survive anywhere, with anything. They didn't fear the desert, or the cold, or the wind… But did fear lightning, Gippal playfully had added, putting a hand in front of his mouth, fake sorry, after she shot him a resentful glare.

That's when O'aka had offer they'd do a Never have I ever, saying he'd love to get to know all his travelling buddies better. But in reality, he had been dying to taste that bottle since Baralai had given it to them as a parting gift. It looked delicious, and he hadn't had the Gils to buy alcohol in so long. He couldn't miss out on an opportunity like that!

They sat, all eight of them—Paine had decided she would accompany them, after all, she needed herself some good ol' ass kicking—in circle, around a campfire. Paine had sarcastically added that all they were missing now were the ukulele and the horror stories. Not to mention the pillow fight they had to do between girlfriends, later.

- "Oh lighten up, Paine! You know you are having fun!" Rikku said, nudging her. She could be such a pain, pun definitely intended, but the Al-Bhed was glad she was back with them.

- "Of course she is. With great people like us? Please." Gippal smiled at Paine, a silent message passing through them.

The four of them, along with Baralai and Nooj were old buddies, all linked together by a dark past. But now that some time had passed, he really felt like they could grow close again. He was happy to be working with Baralai and Nooj, although he sometimes felt like the pacificator of the three, relentlessly trying to get his two friends to agree on something. But Paine was a part of the team, and he realized now that he kinda missed her, too. She was a good pal and, behind her sarcastic-too-cool-for-school attitude was a really nice, insecure girl, who just wanted to belong. Paine smiled at him, nodding, and Gippal turned his gaze back at the campfire.

- "Ok my turn! Never have I ever... Shot my friends in the back. Sorry Nooj, you had that one coming for ya." Gippal said as he winked to his friend.

The taciturn shrugged, amusingly annoyed. Apparently it was ok to laugh about that regretful incident now. He quickly glanced at Paine, who looked at him encouragingly, silently letting him know that it was indeed all in the past now. They knew it hadn't been his fault.

- "Paine?" Yuna asked, letting her ex-teammate know it was her turn, if she wanted. But no pressure, as always.

- "Alright, alright, I'll do one. Never have I ever... Sang in front of a large audience. Sorry Yuna", Paine said as she smiled at her. "Drink up!"

- "I still can't believe I did it myself..." The high Summoner said as she shook her head, laughing for herself.

In the midst of her adventures, and partly because of the strange link that had formed between her and Lenne, the original wearer of her singer dressphere, she had actually sang twice for Spira. She was feeling liberated, she wanted to try new things, and so it had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now though, as she had had time to reflect, she couldn't understand why she had willingly decided to do such a thing. She didn't regret it either, it had been fun after all, but were she given the option to make the decision again, she wasn't sure she would have sung.

It was Lucil's turn. The red-haired girl thought about it a moment, and then she said:

- "Never have I have ever... Saved Spira from a terrible fate."

Everyone drank except O'aka, who looked from his left to his right, suddenly feeling unimportant. He was both glad, because he could sleep soundly, with such people protecting him, but also, he felt a bit bad, because all of them were younger than him. What had he accomplished, in 35 years? He had failed three businesses, had gotten in jail for helping traitors—which had turned out to be the ones finally stopping Sin for good, so that hadn't been half-bad—and most of all, was now being chased after for money—again. But what could he do? It wasn't his fault, really. He hadn't had the privilege of having a rough childhood, you see. No, his parents were two lovely wealthy people who had provided for him—and still would, if he and his brother Wantz hadn't bankrupted them—and he had lived a sheltered life as a young boy. This was exactly why he hadn't turned out quite as unique and courageous as all those young people had!

Yes, he was sure of it. Had his parents been killed by Sin, or something, he too would be a great fighter and maybe even a courageous knight. It was totally possible, and plausible.

- "Ok, it's a pretty similar one, but here goes: Never have I ever, defeated Sin forever and brought the Eternal Calm."

Rikku, Tidus and Yuna sighted, beat, and proceeded to emptying the content of their glasses. Thank god this wasn't powerful liquor. They were drinking Soul Spring, a gift from Bevelle, and Baralai himself.

Those questions were dull, O'aka thought to himself. Thankfully, he was there to kick it up a notch.

- "I have one, mates! Never have I ever... Been attracted to someone in this very circle." O'aka said, voluntarily trying to expose everyone.

It didn't fail: all of them, except for Paine—Rikku was sure she was lying—and O'aka, gulped down a sip from their glasses. Under each other's gaze, they all turned red. O'aka just smiled, obviously feeling pretty proud of himself. This was getting fun.

- "Never have I ever… had sex with someone in this very circle" O'aka went on, under the awkward silence he relished in.

- "O'akaaa!" Rikku growled, annoyed. "You perv! I have another one, guys: never have I ever, accidentally hit a teammate when trying to kill a fiend."

They all laughed, reluctantly admitting it had happened to them. O'aka just sighted. For such courageous, incredible young people, they were proving to be such prudes.

In the middle of that night, Rikku couldn't sleep. She felt exposed, and unready for their eventual fight on the next morning. She felt out of shape, and most of all, she didn't feel ready to face invisible enemies. She tossed and turned, hoping to fall asleep eventually. But when she realized she wasn't going to anytime soon, she decided to go train.

A few exercises later, she suddenly felt a presence. Was an enemy here right now? The thief definitely felt as if she was being watched. A voice rose in her back, and she turned, startled.

- "Do you think it's, like, an Al-Bhed thing not to sleep at night?"

- "Gippal damn it! I thought you were a fiend or one of those Bonecrave's minion!"

- "Sorrey, love." He replied, in his imitation of O'aka's voice.

Rikku shook her head, both her palms facing the sky on either side of it. This man was beyond being helped.

- "What are you doing anyway?"

- "What does it looks like I'm doing?"

As he had stepped out of his tent a bit earlier, he had seen her from afar, moving to her left and right, bending down and back up, turning on her feet.

- "... Practicing your dance moves?"

- "I'm training, you idiot!" She said as she hit him in the chest.

- "Hey, easy, easy! Can I help you with something?"

She was about to say no, but she did need some help. He had been really good-if not the best- the day before when they had trained in Macalania and she needed some advice.

- "How exactly do you manage to stop the objects so fast? Is there, like, a special movement you do? Some kind of mental preparation?"

Gippal thought about it a bit. It was mostly instinctive. He didn't really stop to analyze what he did.

- "Ok, here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna close my eyes, and you're going to try to attack me, ok?"

She looked at him scornfully. He had no idea what he was messing with.

- "Are you sure? Cause I will end you, Gipps."

He laughed, amused by her over-self-confidence. She had no idea what she was messing with.

- "Just you try, Rikks. Just you try."

They moved away from camp, not wanting to wake the others up. He stood a few feet from her, eyes closed, arms crossed. But, since it wasn't enough for her-he could so perfectly cheat, even if that wasn't the purpose of the exercise-she gave him her blue headband.

- "Hm, he hummed. Smells nice."

- "Creep!" She said as she rolled her eyes, half-smiling.

Just to be sure, he had turned on himself a few times, so he truly wouldn't know from which side she would come.

She prided herself on being quick and silent-the two most important traits when trying to creep up on an enemy. She knew he was good at detecting things without seeing them, but she was sure she could take him. Rikku moved a bit, purposively made some noise to his left, then went to his right, to come back to his left. Gippal just smiled, his eyes still blocked. He knew what she was up to. And it wouldn't work.

After she felt she had covered her tracks enough, she sprinted towards him, a piece of a wooden stick in each hand—they'd figured it would hurt less than her spiky daggers, although Gippal had said it wouldn't make any difference, as she would never touch him.

The silent Calm Lands landscape flew by her as she ran, but she didn't pay attention. Rikku was entirely focused on Gippal. Before she knew it, she was right next to him, about to strike. He still hadn't budge—so much for his great reflexes—and didn't appear to know she was there. She was at his back, her left arm raised towards his left shoulder, her right aiming at his ribbing. The wooden stick inches from his skin, he suddenly grabbed it and pulled. Rikku was dragged with it, and she tried to turn on herself to free herself from Gippal's grasp and still keep her weapon, but he already had her blocked. She panted, her back firmly pressed against his chest. Both his arms were folded over each side of her shoulders, blocking her arms. She dropped her wooden sticks, defeated.

Like any self-respected smartass, he rejoiced in his victory and whispered in her left ear:

- "You missed, Queen Rikks."

Rikku fumed, and, to reclaim her lost pride, she broke away from his grasp by wrapping her legs around his and spreading them. Surprised, he lost his balance, during just enough time for her to use his grasp on hers at her advantage. She jumped and with the impulse that gave her, she catapulted him over her shoulders. Before he knew it, he was on the ground.

- "Not quite!"

He chucked, impressed by her competitiveness and resilience. Pulling on her blue headband, he got it out of his sight, but kept it around his forehead and said:

- "Alright, that was a good move, I'll give it to ya. But you still failed to touch me."

He got up again, and stood before her, smiling fondly.

- "Did that help though? Did you see how I reacted?"

- "Not really, I was too busy being mistreated to notice anything."

He laughed, and she joined in.

- "I like you with my headband on, by the way."

- "You do? You think it's my color?" He said, posing for her.

She chuckled and tried to grab it, but he caught her hand as it grew close to his head.

- "Missed again, love."

They both breathed in, realizing their faces were only inches apart now. Was he going to kiss her? Before she could stop herself, she looked at his lips. He stepped closer, closed his eyes, and so did she... But suddenly he fell on her, unconscious. She took a few step back under the weight of his body, startled.

- "Aaaaaw! Did I just ruin your moment? I'm sorry!" A woman voice ironically asked her.

Rikku looked to her left, then to her right. Nothing. Shit, shit, shit, she thought. This was the time to prove she could actually do this.

- "Remember me, blond bitch?"

Of course. It was the same woman they had fought back at Thunder Plains. She had recognized her voice. The blond slowly let Gippal's body fall to the ground and grabbed the wooden sticks-it was better than nothing. All was silent and dark, and her senses were in alert. The woman was clearly enjoying this, making it last. How long had she been there for? The bitch had perfectly chosen her moment, just when Gippal had let his guard down-in all senses possible.

- "Don't worry about your friend. Our boss require we bring him everyone alive."

She wasn't worried for him-he was clearly just knocked out. No, what really worried her was that they were in a bit of trouble, the both of them: everyone was fast asleep, and pretty far away from here, she had no weapon, no potion and now, no Gippal.

- "Can we please stop playing around and get on with it?" Rikku said, as she grew tired of the anticipation.

- "Sure thing! After all, you asked so nicely."

She heard a flutter of wind behind her, turned on her feet... And her world turned black.