As Helios left the workshop, he pondered on the e he'd begun f with Cid. It was clear that Cid, while gruff and blunt, was one of the few people around who didn’t try to pry into his past or question his motives—an ally who was genuinely ied in his well-being like Isa and Lea.

  Walking through the familiar paths of Radiant Garden, Helios’ thoughts were interrupted by Kurai’s voice resonating in his mind.

  "That stist, Even… You were wise to be cautious. He reeks of heartless but the st is somewhat different, a dangerous quality. I assume they’re close to succeeding in making these Emblem Heartless as you call them. However r they must be missing something," Kurai murmured, its voi ethereal echo in his mind.

  Helios nodded inwardly. "Well, it’s been a long time since we chatted. What’s the occasion? Although you haven’t said much I’m sure you’re watg that we’re getting closer, Kurai. Between Cid’s Gummi Ship and the knowledge we’re gathering, we’ll be able to get what I need before things go south here.”

  Although ion radiated from Kurai’s voice Helios figured it leased. “I am only speaking to you because the wizard’s gaze has moved from you. It seems he has other things to worry about. Just remember, Helios, that even small details matter. Throughout my existence, I learhat the smallest detail unravel even the most well-thought-out pns. I’d advise caution especially now when there is an uension h about the city. Hmm, the wizard returned so we’ll speak aime."

  Approag Merlin's cottage, he opehe door, and the room was filled with the f, almost tangible st of old books and herbal tea. Merlin sat in his armchair, leafing through a thie, and looked up with a smile as Helios entered.

  “Ah, there you are! You’re back rather te,” Merlin said with a knowing twinkle in his eye. “I trust your day with Cid was fruitful?”

  Helios nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. “It was… surprisingly enlightening. He’s w on some incredible things. I did have a bit of trouble finding his workshop.”

  Merlin chuckled. “Yes, he is rather brilliant when it es to his iions. And he has a great resped i for the worlds beyond Radiant Garden.” He motioned for Helios to sit, his tone shifting to something slightly more serious. “There is something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you, Helios.”

  Curiosity piqued, Helios took a seat, giving the wizard his full attention.

  Merlin’s expression softened as he rubbed his thoughtfully. “Ah, First I should apologize. I never actually mentioned where Cid’s workshop was located, did I?” Merlin chuckled, a touch embarrassed. “I’m terribly sorry, my boy.”

  Helios waved a hand dismissively, smiling. “No worries, Sir Merlin. It was a bit of an adventure finding it, anyway. I e.”

  As he turo head to his room, Merlin cleared his throat, stopping Helios. “Before you go, I should inform you—I’ll be away for a few days. It’s a matter requiring my attention, so you’ll have the cottage to yourself.”

  Helios nodded, managing to keep his expressioral as he wondered if this was some test from Merlin. “Of course, Sir Merlin. I’ll keep everything in order, I promise.”

  Merlin beamed, clearly pleased. “Splendid! You’re quite the responsible young man, Helios. I have every fidence you’ll be just fine. Just keep up the good behavior you’ve shown so far.”

  “Will do,” Helios said with a polite nod.

  As he headed to his room, he wondered if Merlin’s absence would be an opportunity for him—or if it was a trap meant to reveal something about him. Either way, he knew he’d have to keep his aeasured.

  The following m, Helios stretched as he got out of bed, feeling refreshed. Merlin had already left, the cottage eerily quiet in his absence. After breakfast, Helios stepped out, gng around as he adjusted his jacket. He hat Kurai was still silent, and he surmised that Merlin had somehed a way to tinue him even while away.

  He headed for Cid’s workshop, but as he turned a er, he nearly collided with Even.

  “Well, we meet again, Helios,” Eveed him, his eyes holding that same probing curiosity.

  Helios gave a polite nod, though he couldn’t shake the disfort he felt around the stist. “Good m, Sir Even.”

  Even smiled, falling into step beside him. “It seems we’re always heading in the same dire.”

  Helios he subtle but unmistakable i in Even’s gaze. “Is there some special project going on nearby?”

  Even chuckled, a calcuted glint in his eye. “Ah, well, any such projects would be cssified. Only Master Ansem himself and his pupils have access to certain facilities.” He paused, studying Helios with a thoughtful expression. “But if you were ied, I could reend you. Your curiosity and perspective seem well-suited for our work.”

  Helios shook his head politely. “Thank you, but I don’t think I have the necessary skills for that level of research. Besides, I’m kept quite busy assisting Cid and Merlin.”

  Even raised an eyebrow, his chuckle soft yet amused. “A pity. I feel you and I would find many of our philosophies quite aligned.”

  They reached Cid’s workshop, and before Helios could excuse himself, a small boy approached them, wearing the same b coat as Even. The boy’s striking steel-gray hair and bright blue eyes caught Helios’s attention.

  Even sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “Ienzo, I told you to wait in the b. Why are you out here?”

  The boy, silent and seemingly unbothered, simply looked at Helios with an unblinking gaze. Even sighed, taking the boy’s hand with a resigned expression. “Well, we must be off now. Farewell, Helios.”

  As they left, Ienzo gnced back at Helios for a lingering moment before allowing himself to be led away. Helios couldn’t help but wonder why the boy stared at him, knowing this child would grow into Zexion, one anization XIII’s most maniputive members. Ienzo would grow to be as brilliant as he was ing, and the thought of the child’s potential was both intriguing and chilling.

  Putting the enter out of his mind, he entered Cid’s workshop. The instaepped inside, a loud explosion resouhrough the space, and he was hit by a thick cloud of smoke and dust.

  “Cid!” Helios called out, coughing as he tried to fan away the smoke.

  A hag cough echoed from the far side of the room. “Over here, kid! Just… don’t breathe too deep!”

  Squinting through the haze, Helios finally spotted Cid, his fad hair dusted with soot but grinning as if nothing were amiss.

  “What oh happened?” Helios asked, his voice half-ughing, half-ed.

  Cid coughed again, waving off the dust. “Ah, just a minor setback. Tried to run some extra power through the Gummi Ship’s engine, but, well… guess I gave it a little too much juice.”

  Helios couldn’t help but ugh, though he kept it quiet, not wanting to make it too obvious. “Maybe just a tad.”

  Cid chuckled as he took off his goggles and dusted himself off. “Aye, well, trial and error, as they say! Anyway, you’re just in time. I could use a hand reassembling a few things before the est.” He handed Helios a wrend gestured to a table cluttered with various tools aal pos. He then opened all the windows to air out the workshop.

  As they got to work, Cid showed Helios the adjustments he’d pnned for the engine. Helios listened carefully, impressed by the man’s tenacity despite the setback. For the hour, they worked side by side, with Cid occasionally expining the mei more detail. Helios found himself increasingly engrossed in the work, the intricacies of Gummi teology fasating him.

  Ohey’d pleted the repairs, Cid leaned back, giving the engine an appraising look. “There we go. She’s all set for ano.”

  Just as they were finishing up, the workshop door creaked open, and Lea and Isa peeked in, both raising eyebrows at the mess.

  “Whoa, what happened in here?” Lea asked, stepping inside and surveying the sooty se.

  Isa smirked. “Looks like you two had a little too much fun with that e is an engine right?”

  Cid ughed, not the least bit embarrassed. “Yes, it's an engine. We’re just doing a bit of testing! Sce is all about experimentatiht?”

  Helios grinned, giving a nod to Lea and Isa. “Gd you guys stopped by. Want to stick around for the est?”

  Lea’s eyes lit up. “Are you kidding? Watg things blow up is half the fun!”

  Isa rolled his eyes, but he stayed by the door, his curiosity apparent. “Let’s just make sure we’re at a safe distance.”

  Cid, looking unfazed, gave the engine o once-over before starting the test. They all watched with a mix of anticipation and apprehension as the engine whirred to life. This time, it ran smoothly, emitting a low hum and a faint blue glow.

  The group let out a collective breath of relief. “Looks like we got it right this time,” Cid said, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

  Lea cpped Helios on the back. “See, you’re not just some new guy; you’re practically an engineer already!”

  Helios chuckled, appreciating the praise. “Couldn’t have do without Cid’s guidance.”

  They spent the rest of the afternoon in the workshop, talking and joking around as they helped Cid fiune a few other pos. It was a rare, simple pleasure—ohat Helios savored as he realized just how much he ehis growing bond with his new friends.

  As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Radiant Garden, Cid set his tools aside and stretched. “Alright, boys, time to it up for today. Thanks for the help.”

  Lea, Isa, and Helios nodded, saying their goodbyes to Cid before stepping out of the workshop together. They walked through the quieting streets of Radiant Garden, their voices mingling with the sounds of the evening.

  Isa turo Helios, his usual stoic expression softening. “You’ve been here only a short while, but it feels like you’ve always been one of us.”

  Lea grinned, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, it’s like you just fit. Radiant Garden’s got room for you, Helios. Got it memorized?”

  Helios felt a sadness spread through him—a feeling he experienced when the darkook everything from him. He looked at his friends, his voice filled with calm as he recalled the thio happen here. “Thanks, both of you. It means a lot. I wish you both all the best.”

  Lea and Isa exged fused gnces, Lea furrowing his brow. “What’s with the serious tone, man? You’re not going anywhere, right?”

  Helios smiled, f himself to shake off the sadness. “Nah, I just… appreciate you guys, that’s all.”