Chapter 29

Even's usual aloof expression was softened by a slight, almost courteous smile as he approached. Helios kept his composure, bowing his head slightly. "Good day, Sir Even," Helios said, his tone polite. "I was actually just looking for some friends to help me find Cid's place. Merlin mentioned he wanted me to meet him, but… I'm not sure where he lives."

Even chuckled softly, an oddly restrained sound. "Cid doesn't exactly have a home address that he shares. He tends to set up his workspace wherever he sees fit. At the moment, he's commandeered a small workshop not far from the city's outskirts." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "I could guide you there myself. It's along the path I was headed on, in fact."

Though Helios hesitated, aware of the potential dangers of spending too much time alone with Even, he couldn't turn down such a straightforward offer. "Thank you, Sir. I'd appreciate that."

They walked side by side through Radiant Garden's winding paths, which grew quieter as they moved toward the city's edge. Even maintained a dignified pace, his steps measured and his eyes observing everything around them with a critical, calculating gaze.

"So, Helios," Even started, his tone casual yet probing. "Tell me, how are you finding Radiant Garden? Adjusting well, I hope?"

Helios kept his response cautious, as always. "It's a beautiful place. I've been welcomed warmly, which has been… more than I expected."

Even nodded, his expression impassive. "Radiant Garden is a beacon, in some ways," he said, more to himself. "A city brimming with light… even if it has its fair share of shadows."

They reached a cobbled path lined with modest homes and workshops, and Even motioned toward one of the largest buildings, its walls covered in ivy and its door slightly ajar. "Cid should be inside," Even said, gesturing toward the workshop. "Please, go on in. I'd love to stay and chat further, but I have my own duties to attend to."

Helios inclined his head in thanks. "Thank you for your help, Sir Even."

With that, Even left, striding down the cobbled path with his usual air of detached curiosity. Helios watched him go, his mind racing. Even's veiled curiosity was almost unsettling—there was something more to his interest that Helios couldn't yet pinpoint. Shaking off the feeling, Helios pushed open the door to Cid's workshop.

The space inside was cluttered but functional, a chaotic mix of tools, gears, and what Helios guessed were spare gummi ship parts scattered across the tables and shelves. Cid was hunched over a particularly complicated-looking device, his goggles pulled over his eyes as he squinted at a small, sparking wire.

"Hello, Sir Cid," Helios greeted, making his way through the maze of machinery.

Cid looked up, lifting his goggles with an exaggerated grin. "Ah, there's my helper! Good, 'cause I'm gonna need all the extra hands I can get today. Also, drop the polite talk kid just call me Cid." He motioned Helios over to a desk piled high with parts. "See that over there? That's the start of a prototype engine I've been workin' on for a new gummi ship model. Thought I could use a second set of hands to get it up and running."

Helios eyed the various bits and pieces, an array of metal components that looked both foreign and fascinating. Though he had little experience with machines, he'd always been interested in learning.

"Sure, I'd be happy to help. Where do you want me to start?" he asked.

Cid handed him a small wrench and a handful of bolts. "Here—take these. We're gonna start by attaching this cylinder to the main frame." He gestured to a piece of equipment that looked like a turbine, its metal surface gleaming in the dim workshop light.

They worked in comfortable silence for a while, Cid giving Helios guidance as they went along. Though unfamiliar with the work, Helios found himself quickly adapting, his hands growing steady as he tightened bolts and secured parts. The occasional spark flickered between them as they assembled each piece, bringing the machinery to life.

As they worked, Cid suddenly spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "So… word's gettin' around about you, kid."

Helios glanced at Cid, keeping his expression neutral. "Oh? What sort of word?"

"Mostly folks just curious about the new face around here. But… Even's been asking questions," Cid said, his voice laced with a hint of caution. "He's the type who gets real interested in anything that's even a little out of the ordinary. Not a good thing to have that one's eye on you."

Helios tightened the bolt he was working on, considering Cid's words carefully. "He did seem… curious when we spoke earlier."

Cid nodded, a grim line settling on his mouth. "That he is. Even's a brilliant scientist, but he's got a mind that won't rest till it's poked and prodded at every mystery it finds. Just be careful around him. He doesn't always have people's best interests at heart, if you catch my drift."

Helios met Cid's gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude for the man's concern. "Thanks for the warning, Cid. I'll keep that in mind."

They continued working, the rhythmic clang of metal and the hiss of machinery filling the room. After a while, Cid stepped back, admiring their progress with a proud nod.

"There we go! Not bad for a day's work," he said, wiping his hands on a rag. "With any luck, this baby'll be ready for a test run soon."

Helios grinned, feeling a sense of satisfaction from the day's work. "I'm looking forward to seeing it in action. So you never explained what a Gummi Ship is or what it does."

Althought Helios obviously knew what a Gummi Ship was he couldn't have Cid or anyone else wondering why he didn't need thing explained.

Cid's eyes gleamed with excitement as he leaned back, clearly pleased to explain. "Gummi Ships are somethin' special, kid. They're not just any regular ships—they're built from these rare, magical Gummi Blocks that let you fly between worlds. Yep, you heard right, between worlds. Apparently, Ansem the Wise got it from a friend, some explorer. He tried it, and it sent him someplace far off, but the thing is, he couldn't steer it. So he gave Ansem the Wise another piece so he came to me and asked if I could make the idea practical, something ya could actually pilot, and I thought—why not make it into a proper ship? That way, you decide where you're going, not just get tossed around."

Helios leaned forward, playing the part of a curious newcomer. "So once you get it working, people could really… visit other worlds?"

"Exactly," Cid replied, nodding. "Most folks here think all that exists is Radiant Garden. If they knew how vast things really were, they'd probably be in shock. The Gummi Ship is our way to break those barriers. But let me tell ya, it's no simple feat. The energy alone to power somethin' like this is almost beyond what we have."

"So how close are you to getting it functional?" Helios asked, keeping his tone casual, though the prospect of inter-world travel intrigued him.

Cid chuckled, scratching his head. "That's the thing, kid. We're close, but it's the fine-tuning that's tricky. Just need to make sure it doesn't shake apart mid-flight or crash into somethin' we'd rather avoid. I tell ya, building a ship to travel the stars ain't no walk in the park."

Helios nodded, absorbing Cid's enthusiasm. He knew that when the time came, having access to a Gummi Ship might be crucial. Cid's project would be very crucial to the main story. When Xehanort starts crating the emblem heartless and Maleficent comes to tak over Leon's group piled in Cid's Gummi Ship and ran away to Traverse Town. But Cid's genuine excitement made Helios almost made him want to warn the guy and forget his larger mission for a moment.

The rest of the afternoon passed with Cid explaining the technical aspects of Gummi Ships and their underlying mechanics, his knowledge vast and his passion unmistakable. Helios learned a lot, not just about the Gummi technology, but also about Cid's programming skills as he show him the coding he used with the ship and answered any question Helios had on the issue. When they finally wrapped up, Helios felt a deeper respect for Cid's work and a newfound appreciation for the man's dream of seeing worlds. Before his memories awakened as a kid he had wanted to travel through space.

"Alright, kid," Cid said, clapping him on the back. "Thanks for the help today. And remember, keep an eye out. If you're ever in need of a place to go, just swing on by here."

"Will do, Cid," Helios replied with a genuine smile. "And I'll definitely want to see how the Gummi Ship turns out."