Chapter 40: Dreams And New Purpose

At Banora village where the specialty were apples. Due to the rich soil there because of the lifestream that is near the surface.

Two boys were looking at the news of the Wutai war. And one of them with Auburn hair looked at his friend with a grin.

"Hey, don't you think that we should get the hell out of here and join SOLDIER? We're pretty strong too, I'm sure we can beat those 1st class guys, Angeal." He said cheekily.

"Hah, Genesis. What are you talking about, those 1st class you are talking about are the same age as us and are already fighting a war." Angeal shook his head at his friend's antics.

"Can't you see? We are growing far faster than our other peers. And we're the strongest here in the village! Do you just want to harvest apples and tend to trees your whole life? I believe we have a purpose Angeal." Genesis hyped themselves up and Angeal winced.

He thought about it for a good minute and what Genesis did say was true. They were the strongest people at the village, even stronger than all the adults. They even managed to beat some monsters with their bare hands.

It wasn't a menace so to say, but it was still stronger than all the villagers and they feared it. But they were able to beat it pretty easily.

Angeal was deep in thought, starting to agree with Genesis. As he supposed that using their strength to farm and just harvest some apples is such a huge loss if they could use it to join SOLDIER and bring home tons of money to his mother who was a widow.

"Besides, won't your mother appreciate the honor and fame you will get? They also make a lot of money!" Genesis struck a hard bargain and Angeal's mind was made up.

"Okay, let's go to Midgar and try to join SOLDIER. But do you think our parents will let us go?" Angeal got anxious and thought that was their main problem.

"Huhun, you underestimate me my friend. I already contacted Shinra and gave them our data. Lazard, the director of SOLDIER already reviewed them and approved us in being in the basic training! They'll also fetch us themselves, praise me." Genesis gave a smug smile and Angeal was shocked.

"What!? Then that means they're already scheduled to go here in Banora? But we haven't told our parents yet..." Angeal frowned and Genesis patted him on the back.

"Don't worry friend, being accepted into Shinra's prestigious SOLDIER will definitely change their mind." Genesis smirked and that was true.

The recruitment of SOLDIER is known throughout the world. Even being accepted is a herculean task that the majority of the population will never achieve.

And Genesis was confident that when Shinra talks to their parents. They will be convinced that they weren't accepted as a fluke.

"I hope you're right." Angeal was a bit nervous, being a poor country bumpkin and all. Genesis was more confident as he was adopted to the richest family in Banora who owned the apple orchards.

"Just you wait, we'll be SOLDIER in no time." Genesis patted him on the shoulder and laughed. Angeal gave a wry smile and sighed at Genesis' plans. Thinking it wasn't so bad to be roped in it instead of just living a bland life.

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Back at Midgar, the trio of Aerith, Ifalna, and Vincent arrived at Elmyra's house and were quite surprised by the place. Even if it was in the slums, the house was well kept.

"Come on in, don't be shy." Elmyra gave a smile and the trio nodded. "I'll be back with some ingredients, they're quite famished." Vincent looked at Aerith who's stomach was grumbling.

"Meanie!" Aerith blushed heavily and was embarrassed that she got outed. Vincent quickly vanished into the night and Elmyra raised a brow at Vincent's definitely not normal behavior and moves.

Though she didn't pry, seeing only now that Aerith and Ifalna were covered in blood. Making her frown heavily.

"You guys are covered in blood... What happened to you?" Elmyra was suspicious and Ifalna, being an honest and kind individual, didn't lie to Elmyra.

"Hah, it's a long story Elmyra... We were being chased by Shinra and I got heavily wounded. Though Aerith here managed to save me, but barely." Ifalna gave a short summary.

Elmyra was shocked. "Are you perhaps a part of that group called Avalanche?" Elmyra was neutral towards Avalanche, thinking that what they were doing is right. But they didn't quite have the manpower or strength to do anything worthwhile.

"What is that?" Ifalna was genuinely clueless and Elmyra raised a brow. She sighed and just decided to not dig further.

"Whatever, you've got a child with you. And she looks healthy, I want you two to change clothes." Elmyra gave a wry smile and they nodded, she gestured them to follow her to her room and they changed their clothes.

"Mom... I miss Alex-nee's dress. It was really smooth and comfy." Aerith complained and Ifalna chided her. "Hush, Aerith. Say thank you to Elmyra, she was kind enough to give us some spare clothes."

Ifalna then had a realization. She might be able to get some cellphones which Ramiel made. But she didn't know what the twin's phone number was.

"Drats. Why didn't I memorize Ramiel and Alexandra's number!?" Ifalna got frustrated and Elmyra looked at her with concern.

"You okay?" Ifalna sobered up and thought that now wasn't the time to try and contact them. She needed to ensure the safety of Aerith first.

"Ahhh, sorry I'm fine. I just forgot the number of some our friends..." Ifalna sighed heavily and felt incompetent at her actions.

Alexandra and Ramiel even wrote it down and gave them copies of it. But Ifalna wasn't interested at all in the phones, forgetting to remember their number.

Everybody returned to the living room and waited for Vincent to return. "So, where did you guys come from?" Elmyra broke the ice as the two were quiet. Obviously dealing with something.

"Ahhh, we're actually from Nibelheim." Ifalna answered and Elmyra was surprised that they came from such a backwater village.

"For real? That place is like months away from here..." Elmyra thought that they must be some kind of nobles or something. And she didn't have any more things to talk about after that.

Thankfully though, Vincent returned quite quickly and he had a huge bag of ingredients. Not lacking in the money department at all as he is the number one mercenary of Avalanche.

"You got a fridge or something?" Vincent asked Elmyra and she quickly sobered up, putting the ingredients to the fridge.

"Vincent... Do you have any idea how to go to Wutai?" Ifalna was really anxious being alone with Aerith. And she wanted to go to Ramiel and Alexandra for help immediately.

"Wutai is closed off entirely right now... And the airspace is also being controlled by Shinra. There is a war there right now after all." Vincent poured cold water on her desire to seek out the twins.

"How about a message? You think we can send a message to them?" Ifalna was desperate as she thought that she couldn't really protect Aerith on her own. Being a non-combatant and all.

"Probably not. All messages would be intercepted, and the mention of the supreme commanders in Wutai would raise questions. Leading to an investigation. We don't want that, now do we?" Vincent shot her down once again and Ifalna deflated.

They then went quiet once again, with Ifalna contemplating what she should do. Thinking of escaping Midgar entirely.

"Say, Vincent. Aren't you suuuper strong? You took care of the baddies like nothing. Why don't you teach mom how to be a better fighter?" Aerith chimed in as she knew that Ifalna was worried about her.

Vincent and Ifalna were speechless and Ifalna just stared at him like a kicked puppy. "Ugh, fine." Vincent furrowed his brows. Thinking that this was so he could make some connections to the people that his children were protecting.

Aerith cheered and Ifalna gave a sheepish smile to Vincent. "Hey guys, I made some french toast. Not much, but I think this will fill Aerith up." Elmyra arrived with some plates and they ate for now. Savoring their victory against Shinra, that almost went into disaster.

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Thank you for reading everyone, anyways. Ciao.