"Falco Alfie…"
Marco repeated the name, narrowing his eyes as he studied the boy beside him.
"Your father's name is Falco?"
"Yes, sir." Alfie blinked at his sudden change in tone. "Do you know him?"
Marco remained silent for a moment, tightening his grip on the reins.
"We'll talk about that later. For now, get on the horse."
"Okay. But she's coming with us."
Alfie turned toward Rebekah, who stood quietly nearby.
"She just lost her family. I don't think she has anywhere else to go."
Marco glanced at the girl before nodding.
"Fine. Both of you, get on."
Once they were seated behind him, Marco looked over his shoulder.
"You two did something impressive today. Even most Shinras would struggle against an Alpha Darkside Spirit."
He paused before continuing.
"Tell me, who was using that Dark Renshi earlier?"
Alfie slowly raised his hand.
"Uh… that was me."
Marco's expression grew serious.
"It just happened," Alfie explained. "When that thing knocked me out, I woke up inside this huge castle. It was dark and cold, but I could still see everything around me."
He scratched his head.
"Then I heard a voice. I asked it to lend me some power, and that's when I got the Dark Renshi."
Alfie smiled faintly.
"It felt amazing, almost like I became someone completely different."
So he's the one.
Marco's grip tightened around the reins.
Falco wasn't lying. But if this boy's first awakening was Dark Renshi, that's a serious problem.
I can't let him wander around freely. Not yet.
"Alright," Marco said aloud. "We'll go to your house first. Point me in the right direction."
"Just across the Cliff. I'll show you."
The journey continued in silence for a while before Rebekah finally spoke.
"Hmm… Alfie, right?"
"Yeah?"
"That's a nice name. I'm Marshal Rebekah."
"Rejakah?"
Rebekah stared at him.
"No, you rockhead. Rebekah."
"Oh." Alfie laughed. "My bad. Rebekah. Got it."
She sighed and shook her head.
"You really are something."
They continued along the Cliff trail, leaving the forest behind.
"Which way now?" Marco asked.
"Straight into town, then take the first left."
Suddenly, Alfie stiffened.
"Wait, stop."
Marco immediately pulled the reins.
"What is it?"
"My mama."
Alfie looked back toward the forest.
"I didn't find her. She's still in there. We have to go back."
"There's no need," Marco replied calmly.
Alfie turned to him.
"When I arrived, I used a sensory technique across the entire forest. There were only a few bodies, all of them Renshi users. No one else was alive."
Marco paused.
"Does your mother use Renshi?"
"No."
Alfie's worried expression immediately relaxed.
"Then she's safe. Let's keep going."
"Right."
A moment later, Alfie pointed ahead.
"That's my house."
He leaned forward excitedly.
"And those are my brothers. They're outside. Maybe Mama's already back."
Marco stopped the horse, and the three dismounted.
"Big brother."
Elijah and Marcus immediately ran toward Alfie.
He knelt and pulled both boys into a tight hug.
"Don't cry, Eli. Marcus, I'm okay."
His voice trembled slightly.
"I'm home now."
Just then, the front door opened.
Margaret stepped outside, and her eyes immediately landed on Alfie.
"Mama."
Alfie ran toward her.
BONK.
Margaret smacked him on the head.
"Ow. What was that for?"
"That's for scaring me half to death."
She grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"You reckless child. You disobeyed your father and went across the Cliff by yourself. What were you thinking?"
"I thought the Darkside Spirit had gotten you…"
Alfie's voice faltered as tears formed in his eyes.
Margaret's expression softened.
"I'm fine, Alfie. I went to visit an old friend in Lucky Town."
She gently wiped away his tears before turning toward Marco and Rebekah.
"And who are they?"
Alfie turned around.
"Oh, right. That's Mr. Shinra. He saved us from this Darkside Spirit."
He pointed toward Rebekah.
"And this is Rebekah. Her family was killed by the Darkside Spirit, and she doesn't have anywhere to go, so I brought her here."
Margaret studied Rebekah for a moment before giving her a warm smile.
"You poor girl. You must be exhausted."
She looked at all three of them.
"Come inside. You've all been through enough today. I'll make some dinner."
They entered the house together.
While Margaret prepared the meal, Alfie recounted everything that had happened, including his battle with the Alpha Darkside Spirit.
His mother and brothers listened in stunned silence.
"You… used Renshi?" Margaret finally asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yeah."
Alfie nodded.
"I don't really understand how it happened, but it was definitely Renshi."
He looked down at his hands for a moment before smiling.
"And I think I want to join the Shinra Academy."
Rebekah immediately smiled.
"Me too...even though it sucks"
Alfie turned toward her.
"You want to join?"
"Of course. If you can use Renshi, they'll let you in for free, right?"
"Yeah."
Alfie grinned.
"Then we'll become Shinras together."
Rebekah smiled.
"Deal."