4. House of Lies

Yuna and Rikku arrived at the city proper. They moved through the streets of Bevelle, its red and white corridors clean and polished. The whole city reeked of opulence, its metropolitan citizens stiff and pretentious. Some were friendly, but most were cold and distant. Yuna attracted little attention, but Rikku's skimpy attire and green eyes drew the occasional glare.

"Grrrrr. I hate this place. I can't believe you were born here, Yuna," Rikku said.

"It's not so bad. People are just uptight from recent events. They'll loosen up," Yuna replied.

"...Feh. Don't count on it," Rikku said.

"Try to behave yourself around here, Rikku. Especially around Baralai. The last thing we need is trouble in the heart of Bevelle."

"Yeah, yeah. Okay, mom," Rikku replied sardonically.

The two continued through the busy streets, heels clicking against marble ground. Moments later, they arrived at a courtyard. They surveyed the scene, spotting Yevon guards lining the path. Tall buildings surrounded them, and the girls realized they'd reached New Yevon's headquarters. As they continued along the walkway, Rikku eyed the numerous guards.

"So many soldiers. Looks like Gippal wasn't lying when he said Baralai was amassing an army," Rikku said.

"Shh. Not so loud. They may hear you," Yuna whispered. The two continued walking, passing pair after pair of armed guards.

As Yuna and Rikku reached the entrance to New Yevon's base, they spotted Baralai standing outside talking to someone. The girls slowly approached, Yuna standing firm as Rikku felt the hairs on her neck rise. Rikku had keen instincts, and her dander was always up whenever she looked at Baralai. Just then, he turned to them, catching their eyes from a short distance away.

"Yuna," Baralai said, he and Dona sizing them up.

"Greetings, Baralai. It's been awhile," Yuna said.

"It has. I'm pleased to see you are well," Baralai replied.

"Well I'll be damned...," Dona said. "If it isn't Princess Yuna. You've got some nerve, showing your face around Bevelle after all that's happened."

"...What?!" Rikku said, stepping forward. "Yuna saved the world from you people and your damned Vegnagun! Show some respect!"

"Hah! How little you know...," Dona said dismissively.

"What do you mean?" Yuna asked.

"I'm afraid it's complicated," Baralai said. "Suffice to say, there are secrets only the top brass of New Yevon are privy to."

"Tch! You and your secrets. It's secrets like that which nearly spelled the end of the world!" Rikku said.

"So noisy...," Dona said, rubbing her ear. "Is that why you came? To argue and make commotion?"

"No," Yuna said, firmly looking Baralai in the eyes. "...We've heard some troubling rumors. Rumors of how you plan to move against the Youth League. Of how you seek to wipe them out."

Baralai laughed.

"Yes. I've heard the same gossip. Honestly, I don't know who starts such ridiculous rumors. I can assure you, however, that New Yevon is planning no such thing," Baralai said.

"Hmph. Sure you're not," Rikku said, hand on her hip.

"It's true. Why would we waste time on such trivial matters?" Dona asked. "The Youth League is imploding. It's falling apart at the seams of its own momentum. The entire group was just a knee jerk reaction to the discovery of Old Yevon's crimes. Why do you think I left that ragtag league for New Yevon? The Youth League is finished, and only a fool clings to a sinking ship."

"That's right," Baralai said. "New Yevon does not wish for violence. Our intentions are pure. We seek only peace."

As Baralai spoke, Rikku sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Baralai, Baralai...," she said, flashing a grin. "...You're a terrible liar, ya know that? Whenever you lie, you get a liiiiiittle wrinkle, riiiiiiiight here!" she said, pointing to his left brow.

"Heh! You're as amusing as ever, Rikku. But believe me: what I say is no lie. While it's true we opted out of the peace treaty due to bureaucratic reasons, we have no plans to attack the Youth League. Now if you'll excuse us, we have a meeting to attend," Baralai said.

He and Dona took their leave, heading back inside their headquarters. As the pair walked off, Dona eyed Yuna and Rikku with disdain. When the two were out of earshot, Rikku slowly shook her head.

"...Tch. I knew it," she said. "That bastard's lying through his teeth."

"Shhhhh," Yuna said, warily eyeing the nearby guards. "Not so loud. We shouldn't cause a scene here. But as it happens, I agree. Baralai's a bad liar, and as usual, Yevon continues to hide secrets..."

"So what now? Should we warn Nooj and the Youth League about this?" Rikku asked.

"I'm sure he knows already. But it couldn't hurt to pay him a visit just in case," Yuna said.

As the girls turned around to leave, Baralai and Dona moved through the halls of their headquarters. As they approached a senior guard, Baralai gave a cold stare.

"...You have your orders, soldier," Baralai said, standing in the shadows with Dona.

"...Don't let them leave Bevelle alive."

As Yuna and Rikku reached the courtyard entrance, the massive gates suddenly slammed shut. The guards surrounding them all swarmed, swiftly raising their rifles and taking aim. Yuna and Rikku turned to them, Rikku smiling as Yuna lightly sighed.

"Dear, dear...," Yuna said, drawing her guns. "Honestly. I was hoping to avoid this."

"Well I certainly wasn't!" Rikku said, spinning her knives. "You see, I've been in a bad mood lately, and have so been itching to let off steam. You boys can help me with that... right?" she asked cutely. The guards briefly hesitated, their commander suddenly raising a hand.

"FIRE!"

As the soldiers all attacked, Yuna and Rikku dodged the haze of bullets.

Yuna took aim, shooting one soldier after the next. They each fell dead, streams of blood shooting from their heads. Rikku slashed her daggers, blood and limbs flying in all directions. She then spun around, slicing the soldiers up like a tornado.

"...Damn! They're tough! Call the reinforcements!" the commander shouted.

"Be silent," Yuna said, suddenly shooting the man in the head. As the commander fell dead, a second battalion entered the yard. They took aim and fired, Yuna and Rikku struggling to dodge.

"...Damn!" Rikku exclaimed, cutting through dozens of guards.

"So many...!" Yuna said, pointing her Tiny Bee pistols dead ahead. "Scattershot!" she exclaimed. Her bullets exploded in midair, felling numerous foes at once.

Despite Rikku and Yuna's resistance, more and more guards filled the area. They completely surrounded the courtyard, pelting Yuna and Rikku with gunfire. As the girls started to sweat, a loud noise came from above.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Brother yelled, flying the Celsius high overhead. "You dare attack mah dear, sweet Yuna? Now you diiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeee!"

In a flash, Brother unleashed the ship's massive rail guns. They both spun rapidly, proceeding to mow down scores of soldiers. As the guards fired back, Rikku and Yuna looked up with broad smiles.

"Brother!" Yuna exclaimed.

"Brother! You bum! Who said you could interrupt my fun?!" Rikku hollered.

"I'd say that's enough 'fun' for one day!" Buddy yelled. "Here! Grab on! Quick!" he said, tossing down a long rope. As Yuna and Rikku raced for it, Dona appeared from the balcony of New Yevon's headquarters.

"Yuna! You bitch! You dare cause trouble here?!" Dona yelled. "DIE!"

As the woman gritted her teeth with rage, she began firing heavy rounds of magic. Her volleys of thundaga cracked through the air, slamming the ground, narrowly missing Yuna. Yuna fired back from afar, her shots bouncing off Dona's protect spell.

Yuna and Rikku raced across the courtyard, dodging stray bullets left and right. Suddenly, they leapt up high, grabbing the rope dangling from the Celsius. As Buddy pulled them up, the ship took off, vanishing into the sky.