Hours had passed since Margaret left for the shop.
Alfie was home with his younger brothers, Elijah and Marcus. It wasn't unusual for the boys to be left alone for a while, as Falco often traveled across the country to deliver weapons and reinforcement equipment to the Shinras.
His skill as a blacksmith was well known.
Unfortunately, his pay wasn't.
The Shinras even had a saying about blacksmiths like him.
"We fight, you forge, we pay just little."
Despite the meager pay, Falco genuinely loved his work.
Years ago, he had tried to become a Shinra himself, but he had failed. Becoming a blacksmith was his way of contributing to the fight against Darkside Spirits. If he couldn't destroy them with his own hands, he would forge weapons for those who could.
Deep down, Falco and Alfie shared the same dream.
Both wanted to protect people from Darkside Spirits.
The difference was that Falco believed his son would eventually fail, just as he had.
---
The Shinra Camp
Far away, in the southern part of the country, Falco arrived at a Shinra camp situated at the edge of a dense rainforest. He had come to deliver a large shipment of weapons.
As he stood near the entrance, a Shinra called out from inside.
"Hey, blacksmith."
Falco looked up.
"What are you standing there like a tree stump for? Bring us the weapons."
With an awkward smile, Falco approached them.
"My apologies. I sometimes space out."
He gestured toward the shipment.
"Here they are. All the weapons you ordered."
A Shinra wearing a red cape stepped forward to inspect the equipment.
"You're lucky you're not a Shinra," he remarked, glancing at Falco. "Spacing out like that on a battlefield would get you killed."
Falco shrugged.
"I already tried the battlefield life when I was young." He offered a calm smile. "It's not my path."
"Hah."
A voice rang out from deeper inside the camp, though its owner remained hidden from view.
"Quit whining, you lowly blacksmith. Take your money and get lost."
Falco sighed.
"I'm leaving."
He turned to go, but stopped after taking a few steps.
"There's just one thing I should warn you about."
His expression grew serious.
"I have a sharp sense of hearing."
He glanced toward the surrounding forest.
"Something is approaching."
The Shinras fell silent.
"It sounds like radio waves," Falco continued, narrowing his eyes. "And they're strong. You should be on alert."
The Shinra who had insulted him scoffed.
"Didn't I tell you to get lost? What do you know, anyway?"
He pointed at Falco's ears.
"Your ears must be messing with your brain."
Several Shinras burst into laughter, but their captain remained silent.
Wearing an ornate black cape that distinguished him from the others, the captain raised one hand.
"Enough."
The laughter died immediately.
"Never underestimate someone simply because they aren't a Shinra."
He turned toward the defense units.
"All defense units, be on alert."
The rude Shinra stared at him in disbelief.
"You're actually taking orders from this blacksmith? If something were out there, our sensory unit would've detected it already."
The captain turned to face him.
"Hearing and sight are two different abilities. Someone with enhanced hearing can detect things long before they're visible."
He paused briefly before adding, "Some people even say they can hear thoughts."
His expression remained stern.
"I trust what he's telling us."
Falco continued walking away, but his sharp ears picked up every word behind him.
"Stop praising me, Captain," he called without turning around, waving one hand dismissively. "Just do what needs to be done."
He took another step.
Then he froze.
His legs began to tremble, and his eyes widened.
"What..."
The vibration in the air was growing stronger, drawing closer with every passing moment.
"What is this sound?"
Falco slowly turned around. The moment he sensed what was approaching, his expression changed completely.
"GET READY."
He immediately sprinted back toward the camp.
"It's coming."
The captain reacted without hesitation.
"All units, prepare for battle."
He turned toward the sensory unit.
"Sensory unit, report."
The sensory Shinras focused their senses and searched the surrounding area.
Several seconds passed.
Then one of them answered.
"Nothing, sir. We can't detect anything approaching from any direction."
The rude Shinra burst out laughing.
"You see? This is nonsense."
He pointed at Falco.
"He's just looking for attention."
"Shut up and prepare yourself," the captain ordered sharply.
The Shinra reluctantly reached for his weapon.
Standing among the others, Falco looked toward the forest.
"I'm not helping you out of goodwill," he said. "I want to stay alive for my family."
He shrugged.
"Say whatever you want. I don't care."
Then he gave a small grin and glanced at the Shinra who had insulted him.
"And trust me, I get more than enough attention at home."
A few Shinras laughed, easing the tension for a brief moment.
The rude Shinra clicked his tongue.
"Tch. I'm only following orders because of the captain."
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the sensory unit.
"ATTENTION."
Everyone turned toward the speaker.
"A swarm of Darkside Spirits is approaching from all directions."
The Shinra's voice trembled.
"Beta-levels."
He looked around in panic.
"But there are so many of them."
The entire camp fell silent.
"What the hell..."
The rude Shinra stared at Falco, disbelief spreading across his face.
"He was right all along."
The captain immediately drew his weapon.
"I told you not to underestimate others."
His voice carried across the camp.
"Take your positions."
The Shinras spread out, preparing to defend the camp.
"We cannot let these creatures reach the towns."
Weapons were raised as the captain lifted his sword.
"If we fall..."
He looked at every member of his unit, his expression hardening.
"...we fall fighting."
He raised his weapon toward the surrounding forest.
"Don't die before taking every last one of them down. Do you understand?"
"YES, CAPTAIN."
The entire unit answered in unison.
Weapons were gripped tightly as Renshi began flowing through the camp.
Falco stood among the Shinras, holding his weapon firmly.
The sound was growing louder.
Hundreds of footsteps.
Hundreds of growls.
Dark shapes began emerging from between the trees.
The Darkside Spirits were coming.
They were coming from every direction.