Chapter 8: The Calm before the Storm

The shards of Macalania Woods crystal light shimmered behind us, fading like a memory.

The crystalline glow gave way to an open sky as Ellie and I stepped onto solid ground beyond the forest's edge.

I squinted against the sudden brightness, lifting a hand to shield my eyes.

"Aunt Ellie, welcome to the Calm Lands." I said, though my tone was less enthusiastic than the words suggested.

Ellie's footsteps slowed, her mouth falling slightly open as she took in the sight before us.

The Calm lands stretched out like a massive emerald sea, rolling hills fading into a horizon so vast it almost looked painted.

The sky above was boundless, a clear and endless blue that seemed too quiet for comfort.

Wind swept over the plains in lazy gusts, carrying faint whispers that sounded like memories carried on the breeze.

"This… is huge." Ellie's voice wavered with something between awe and apprehension.

She turned slowly, as if trying to take it all in at once. "How far does it go?"

I smiled faintly. "Far enough that you'll feel like you're walking forever. Trust me, I know."

Ellie tore her eyes away from the scenery to glare at me, her brows pinched.

"You've seen this before?"

"Only in pieces," I replied, hands resting casually in my pockets as I took a few steps forward.

"It looks exactly like it did in my visions—empty, quiet, and deceptively calm."

She raised an eyebrow at my tone. "Deceptively?"

I gestured out toward the open field, where golden specks indicating Chocobo's moved across the distant hills.

Their carefree movements seemed to fit the serene landscape, but I knew better.

The Calm Lands had a history, and the silence wasn't peace. It was remembrance.

That being said, I also recognize this place as a treasure trove of corrupt poli....ahem.

What I meant was this place had a ton of monsters willing to provide resources for a price.

Remembering this was supposed to be a serious moment I centered myself back to the atmosphere.

"This place isn't what it seems. It's where summoners come to test themselves. To prove they can face Sin."

I glanced back at Ellie, her expression thoughtful but still tinged with worry.

"Your husband will be here soon. We'll meet him in the next few days, just as I said."

Ellie nodded faintly, but her gaze lingered on the empty plains as if expecting something—or someone—to appear.

We started walking down the narrow path leading into the plains, our footsteps crunching softly against the dry earth.

Around us, the wind carried nothing but silence and the occasional cry of distant corrupted political monsters.

After a moment, Ellie broke the quiet. "It's hard to believe a place like this exists. It's… lonely."

"Yeah," I muttered.

"It's supposed to be. It's the Calm Lands, after all."

The land seemed to stretch on forever the deeper we walked, and the cliffs that bordered it on all sides loomed like stone sentinels.

Ellie kept close to me, her eyes darting now and then to the shadows of hills where fiends could lurk.

"Shouldn't we be more cautious?" she asked.

"I thought this place was dangerous."

I smirked, pulling the familiar Machina device from my pocket and holding it up for her to see.

"Relax, Auntie. I came prepared remember?"

Ellie shot me a flat look. "You and that little toy again?"

I held it out dramatically, the wind ruffling my sleeves.

"This 'little toy' keeps monsters off our backs." I slipped it back into my pocket with a confident grin.

"So unless you WANT to fight a Marlboro for fun, I suggest you trust me."

Ellie rolled her eyes, but I caught the faint curve of a smile tugging at her lips.

"If it works, I'm not complaining."

We kept walking in companionable silence, the vastness of the Calm Lands swallowing the sound of our voices.

The plains felt endless—so much so that even I, who had seen this place in visions and knew what to expect, felt dwarfed by the scope of it.

This wasn't just a field, it was a monument. A graveyard of struggles and sacrifices.

Ellie's voice broke through my thoughts. "Are you sure Braska's going to be alright?"

I glanced at her, taking in the lines of worry etched on her face. She'd been carrying this fear all day. I smiled gently.

"He'll be fine, Auntie. That's why we're here, remember? To make sure of it."

She nodded again, but this time her steps were steadier.

As we walked on, I took one last look over my shoulder at the crystalline glow of Macalania fading into the distance.

Ahead of us lay nothing but green fields and a sky that stretched on forever.

We hadn't made it far into the plains when I spotted a familiar sight cresting the nearby hill.

A Hovercraft stood out starkly against the endless green of the Calm Lands, and I couldn't help but smirk.

Of course he would be here.

If there are corrupt politicians, there was also bound to be a capitalist nearby.

I actually remember fixing up that hover craft myself.

"Whose that?" Ellie asked, following my gaze as the Hovercraft rumbled closer.

"Trouble," I muttered playfully, though I already recognized the insignia on the canopy.

Rin's Travel Agency.

The ever-resourceful Al Bhed merchant seemed to have an uncanny ability to appear exactly where he was most needed.

For once, I wasn't going to complain.

The Hovercraft slowed as it neared us, and I could see Rin himself glance our way.

He took off the goggles he had on and his sharp green eyes scanned us, his polite smile freezing mid-expression as recognition, confusion, then panic set in.

"How" he muttered in shock under his breath before composing himself.

"Adrian… Ellie?"

Ellie stiffened beside me, grinning sheepishly as Rin approached, almost cautiously, as if he wasn't entirely convinced we were real.

I raised a hand in greeting, grinning.

"YO!"

...........

silence spoke volumes between us.... until it didn't as Rin exploded.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YO!!! BOTH OF YOU HAVE BEEN MISSING FOR 4 YEARS!! 4 YEARS!! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF THE COMPANIES RESOURCES WE HAD SPENT SEARCHING FOR YOU 2?!"

Rin's is usually unshakable, calm, and professional at all times.

When it comes to me, his demeanor always had a way of dropping all formality.

I don't understand why.

Me and Rin has had a history.

The amount of times I have had to fix and modify his things had amounted to a couple million Gil which I allowed him to put on a tab. (with cumulative interest)

The Hovercraft itself used to be a one seater but I upgraded the engine and seating capacity as well.

It can seat up to 7 people now and had hand rails on each side for people to hang onto if needed.

I guess it didn't help that I may have been trying to squeeze the man for all he's got but what can I say, we were both businessmen and haggling was part of the business.

If he can't haggle well that was his problem not mine.

I even introduced him to many different forms of Poker to help lessen his debt.

I taught him all kinds of ways to gamble and he made a lot of money gambling with others as well.

He never beat me though, I was always cheating using appraisal and now I own 49% of Rin's Travel Agency.

He went on with his rant for what seemed like hours but when he finally ran out of steam his professional demeaner returned.

"Cid has been searching ever since." Rin was now speaking to Aunt Ellie as he was telling her the recent happenings in Bikanel Island.

"Four years…" Ellie whispered, her voice faint as the weight of it settled on her shoulders.

"Ellie. It's fine since you are alive." He blinked again, seemingly at a loss for words. "Cid will—"

"Whoa, hold it right there," I interrupted, holding up both hands.

"Rin, as much as I appreciate the warm welcome, I need you to do me a favor."

Rin tilted his head. "A favor?"

"Keep this quiet for now. I know I can't ask that you keep this quiet for long but at least for a week," I said firmly, crossing my arms. "Don't tell Uncle Cid we're here just yet."

Rin's brow furrowed. "But surely—"

"Not Yet." I repeated, my voice dropping slightly.

"We have our reasons Rin and you'll just have to trust me on this. Cid's already waited for 4 years. He can wait a few more days."

'or another 10 year's if my plans come to fruition' I muttered to myself.

Ellie glanced at me, confusion clear on her face, but to her credit, she didn't argue.

Rin, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to push back.

He and I had a spark of conflict between ourselves.

If this was an anime, our eyes would be clashing lightning by now.

After what seemed like an eternity he let out a sigh and nodded.

"Very well." His tone held just a hint of disapproval, but he wasn't about to argue with me.

He's learned through harsh experience that arguing with me never ended well for anybody.

"Thanks, Rin. You're the best." I flashed him a grin and thumbs up. 

"Now, about accommodations… You wouldn't happen to have room for two weary travelers, would you?"

Rin's polite smile returned, though there was still a lingering curiosity behind his eyes.

"Of course. You are always welcome, Adrian and Miss Ellie…" He paused, shaking his head slightly with an almost exasperated chuckle.

"It is truly remarkable to see you both alive."

"Yeah, well," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck,

"death didn't suit us."

Rin chuckled softly, though I could tell he was still processing everything.

He gestured for us to get on his Hovercraft so that we could ride towards his shop.

Ellie remained quiet beside me, her expression unreadable as we got on deep in thought.

As the Hovercraft started moving again, I leaned back against one of the cushioned benches and sighed.

Outside, the Calm Lands rolled by in endless waves of green, the wind brushing on the plains of grass.

For the first time all day, I let myself relax—if only just a little.

Ellie sat across from me, her hands folded tightly in her lap as she stared out the window.

After a moment, she looked up, her voice quiet but firm.

"Why don't you want Cid to know we're here yet?"

I met her gaze, my expression serious.

"Because if he finds out, he'll drop everything to come after us. And the last thing we need right now is Uncle Cid causing a scene before we meet up with Braska."

Ellie frowned but didn't argue.

She leaned back against the seat, her shoulders slumping slightly as the weight of the day finally seemed to hit her.

Rin's voice called back to us from the front of the Hovercraft.

"We will reach my rest stop soon. You may rest there for as long as you need."

I grinned, settling further into my seat. "See, Auntie? Things are looking up already."

Ellie shot me a dry look but didn't respond.

Outside, the Calm Lands stretched on, serene and deceptively still.

Somewhere out there, Braska was close to finishing his pilgrimage and we were on our way to make sure he survived it.

One step at a time.

The Calm Lands were waiting.

And so was Braska.