In the night, the truck had driven up to the Inn.

The driver parked his truck, but kept the engine running, "Here we are, Kalm. Sorry I wasn't able to take you all the way, but work called elsewhere."

Wren shook her head, "You did more than enough for me these past few days. Thank you." She opened the door and stepped out.

'Such a polite girl,' The driver waves, "Good luck little lady, I hope your grandpa gets better."

She waved back, "Thanks. You take care too."

The truck drove off while Wren continued waving until it was out of town.

Finally… Wren let out a deep breath, "Whew… That man asked a lot of questions." She checked her surroundings; the town was fairly bigger than the other places she had been through. I will probably check it out tomorrow, she yawned, "I'm sleepy…" and entered the inn to rest for the night. She managed to change before collapsing out of exhaustion on the bed of the rented room.

She awakens in the glass containment cell again. She blinked once, then twice; where am I? She shifted herself to sit up. She looks around to see a woman in a lab coat typing away on a computer. The woman took noticed and walked up to the cell.

"Hmm… S2 is conscious. Amazing, it awakened within a week after treatment this time," the woman bends down and lift one of her fingers in front of S2 eyes. S2 unconsciously follows the finger direction, the woman nodded in satisfaction, "awareness is keener this time too." She gets up and returns to typing while talking to herself, "Yes, S2's 5th year of growth is coming along nicely. The professor will be pleased to hear it has potential future use."

S2? I am S2…? She slowly got up and put her hands on the cell to observe the woman. The woman had ash brown hair that was tied into a bun. The woman wore glasses on her hazel eyes. Pretty… S2 kept looking at the woman until the door opened and a suited-man entered.

The man nodded, "Ma'am."

"Oh Kai, perfect time. Take S2 to examining room one. Ask it questions on the way there to see if it remembers the basics."

Kai nodded and made his way over to the cell. S2 observed the man approaching the cell, it stepped back when he opens the door. Kai looked at S2's curious eyes before extending his hand, 'Take my hand.'

S2's small hand took the large firmer one that guided her out of the lab room. Down the hallway, the clicking of the man's shoes and the small feet pattered can be heard.

"Who is mother?" He finally asked.

It blankly stared up at him while he continued to look forward as they walk, "M-Moth-er?" It said.

Next thing she knew, Alarms are going off and the lab room is on fire. She heard multiple gunshots outside the room. She noticed she was out of the containment cell and the woman from earlier glaring at her. An explosion happened on the side of the lab and the woman threw herself at S2. She forcefully wrapped her hand's around its neck, choking it while slamming against the floor, 'You Have to die! It's your fault!' She heard the woman's thought.

The next moment, S2 noticed she is on top of the now dead woman. Her hands were clasped deep into the woman's neck, 'Good job S2…' she heard the woman's last thought. The woman had a glassy stare while the last tears fell to the floor. She released the woman's neck where her fingers punctured and blood flooded from the holes. She looked at her hands to notice they were armor-like claws, then they reverted back to normal flesh.

Her eyes shot open, "Ahh…!" She sat up quickly, heaving in and out, "A dream? Uh…" She rubbed her eyes. The pieces of her hair stuck to her face blocked her view when she mindlessly got off the bed. She lost her footing and fell down, "Ah!"

She rubbed her face before getting up to head to the bathroom. She checked her appearance in the mirror, her silver long hair looked like a hurricane blown through, and her body was covered in sweat, "It was a dream… right?" She walked to the shower to turn on the water.

After washing up, Wren got ready and fixed her hair. She had gotten new clothes when the driver found her that day, since her old ones were beyond mending. Her hoodie was navy blue with a dark grey shirt underneath. She sported camo-green capris with ankle high black boots. Her silver unruly hair she tied again to a loose side braid. 'Look's like you just woke up,' she remembered Kai often commented about her hairstyle. Lastly, she equipped her pair Kukris on her back. She looked at the clock on the wall, 8 A.M.

Then, Wren sat at the desk and began stacking the gil to calculate what she had left, "Alright, If I get another 500 gil, then it will be 1000 gil. I should have enough for the rest of my trip" Then, she frowned, "Now… how do I get 500 gil? Hmm…" She sprawled herself on the desk in defeat, "I don't know~" After a few moments, lying about a sick grandpa had been useful, but no one will give me money for that… right? she sighs, "Maybe I can ask downstairs."

When Wren went downstairs, the inn keeper mentioned someone needing help around town and was willing to pay. Ecstatic, Wren went to the person in need, but-

"We hire mercenaries," the townsperson said, 'A child? What a joke.'

But… I killed monsters! Wren cheeks puffed, "I can do the job, I am a mercenary too. Just give me a chance."

'I'm not being responsible for your death,' the man clicked his tongue, "Find another person to help, we don't hire minors." With that the man shut his shops door.

Her jaw dropped as she stood there, before pouting, "Fine."

Wren continued around town searching for work as a mercenary but-

"No way!" The door shuts on her face again.

"Go home kid!" She got water thrown at her.

"Scram!" She was chased out of another place.

Does everyone here have an attitude? Wren wearily sat on a bench and looked at the sky, "This sucks…" She ignored the elderly man sitting next to her.

"Ho, ho, ho," He started a conversation, "Hello little lady, what a nice day we have huh?"

Wren look over to the man with tired eyes, "Describe nice."

"Ho, ho, ho, sarcasm I see. Ah, to be young. I wish I can have energy like yours to beat the monsters nearby."

Her ears perked up, "Monsters?"

The man nodded, "Yeah, just a little outside of town. There's a nice flower field people love, but monsters have been investing it. Everyone is terrified."

This is my chance! Wren eyes twinkles as she grabbed the man's shoulders, "I can do it, I am a mercenary. I kill monsters. Just pay me."

'What youth… and what grip…,' The man chuckled with a small sweat.

~7~

At the flower field, Wren fought the swarm of monsters coming at her. The people called them Mandragora. These weed like things that were too easy for her. Her senses were normal to access their weaknesses easily. Once the last one was killed, she put her blades away.

She wiped the small sweat off her forehead with her sleeve, "Finish." She smiled.

However, her senses suddenly turned sharp, and she felt two things coming from behind. Again, like lighting she dodged the attempted attack. Since it was day, she saw the beasts that attacked. Two wolf-like creatures called Kalm Fangs. The beasts growled as they begin to eye her movement.

Yay…I guess I should've expected it wasn't going to be easy, Wren drew her blades again, she took a deep breath and focused her senses, "Alright, let's do this."

One Kalm fang jumped attack and she easily dodged it. The other Kalm fang's charged attack. Wren twirl jumped and in a split second she countered by slashing the backside. She landed firmly on the land, "I did it!" Her cheer was short lived when the injured one swiftly got up and tackled her. The beast pinned one of her arms down while her free one managed to fend off a fatal bite with her blade.

"Haa!" She then flipped her blade vertically and pierced the Kalm fang through the top of its mouth. The beast collapsed on her leaving her trapped, "Crap…" She struggled to shove the body off. The last beast growled and inched closer to Wren, "Oh no." He prepared to jump and Wren shut her eyes.

Suddenly, she heard a whining howl. Shooting open her eyes, she witnessed the beast fall over to reveal a woman with a katana drawn out.

The woman quickly sheathed her sword before running up and threw the dead beast off the girl, "Are you okay?" She helped the girl sit up.

Woah… She's strong, Wren stared at the woman with bugged eyes, "Er- Yeah, I'm fine."

The woman sighed in relief, "My name is Felicia." She lifted the girl back up, "What's yours?" Wren stared into the woman's eyes, 'This girl has potential. Who put her up to this?'

"It's Wren."

The woman smiled, "What are you doing here Wren?"

"Mercenary work."

'Mercenary?' Felicia blinked, "How is that going?"

Wren eyebrows came together while tapping her finger on her chin, "Hmm…Well… this is the first one."

Felicia let out a small laugh, "Do you know why?"

Wren looked to the ground as her shoulders dropped, "For being a minor."

Felicia placed a hand on one of Wren's shoulder, "You seem pretty mercenary to me."

Wren felt her cheeks warmed, she took a quick peek before looking away and messing with her fingers, "Uh…T-Thanks…"

Felicia smiled again, "Just a tip for next time, make sure to never lower your guard after a successful attack. Your counter was good, but you also have to managed your blind spot."

Wren nodded, "Got it."

Felicia checked the area, "The monsters are all killed, we should return."

Wren nodded, "Okay."

~7~

They returned to town, and Wren found out Felicia came to visit Kalm with her Father. She also got the 500 gil that she needed to leave town. Then, Felicia invited Wren to join her and her dad to a late lunch. Wren wanted to reject it until she saw the woman's thoughts; she couldn't find herself to say no.

Wren felt awkward for the most part. Felicia's father had a certain look that she couldn't put her finger on. They ate their food quietly at the inn's dining tables before their conversation took off.

Felicia and her were seated on one side of the table while the man sat on the other side.

Is this a date? She shifted a bit in her chair, "Er-It's a pleasure sir."

Felicia's father smiled coyly, "Feeling is mutual, how did you two meet?"

Felicia patted Wren's head while facing her Father, "Wren was in the fields I was visiting. I just lend her a quick hand."

Am I a pet? Wren nodded.

The man chuckled a bit, "I see. If you don't mind me being frank, what brings you to Kalm by yourself?"

Wren made eye contact with the man, his eyes were sharp for a moment, Wha- I can't read him… "Um… you see…" She felt a cold sweat down her back, she felt unhinged, "Uh.." She paused.

Felicia took the opportunity to give a reassuring squeeze on Wren's hand, "Dad, you're making her uncomfortable. She has personal reason."

She's kind, but a lie won't get past him, Wren looked down at her food, "My parents…"

Oh, so she didn't back down, he blinked, "Your parents?"

She nodded, "My parents are in Midgar, so I am trying to find them…"

Felicia gave a sympathetic smile, "Because you never met them before, have you."

Roll with it, she nodded, "Yeah… it was just me and…" She remembered Kai and felt her heart clenched. She didn't realize her expression dropped, "Yeah… just me now."

I hit a nerve, the man rubbed the back of his head, "I apologize, I offended you."

Wren composed herself and shook her head, "No, you are fine. I was staying with a… Family friend."

"Ah, were the weapons his?" He pointed to her weapons on the table, "Usually, weapons like yours are very unique and rare to come by."

Were they really? She shook the thought away and nodded, "Yeah."

Felicia patted Wren's shoulder, "When are you leaving to Midgar?"

"Today."

"That fast?"

If I stay any longer, I won't be safe, she just hummed, "I have to see them soon, I can't stay here any longer."

Felicia softly smiled and gets up from her seat, "Then I will walk you to the edge of town. I can show you the way."

Wren blinked, "Um… Thank you Felicia." She got up as well, she failed to notice the man raising an eyebrow at his daughter's name. She grabbed her weapons from the other table.

"Be back dad," Felicia waved at her father.

Wren waved at the man, "It was nice meeting you sir."

The man tipped his head, "No, no, the pleasure was all mine. Have a safe trip little lady."

She merely nodded and follow Felicia outside.

~7~

Once he saw the pair of girls exited the inn and out of site. The older man took out his phone to dial an old contact on his. A few rings can be heard in the background until the line picked up.

The voice on the other line spoke, "Veld."

"Tseng."

"To what I owe the pleasure."

"What is the status on Kai?"

The line went silent.

"So, he is gone."

"What did you find?"

"More like who I found."

~7~

When they arrived outside of Kalm, Wren and Felicia said their goodbyes.

"Thanks for earlier," Wren said.

Felicia smiled, "No problem."

Wren blinked, Oh yeah, I never asked, "Why were you visiting the flowers fields?"

Felicia looked to the outskirts of the wasteland and hummed, "My mother."

"Mother?" Wren felt a small headache, but she shook it off, "Does she? Er- I mean, is she?"

Felicia did a light nod, "It was a long time ago, but lately, we both had been making effort to enjoy the memories we had of her."

Wren looked to the ground, "Oh."

Felicia took something out of her pocket, "Here, open your hand."

Wren did as she was told and was given an orb, "What's this?"

"A magic materia. It's called Ultima."

"Oh, but why give it to me?" Wren saw her eyes flash a twinkle.

'Because you remind me of me,' Felicia pats her head, "You're a mercenary. Besides, it will be good for close calls."

She super nice and I lied to her, Wren cheeks turned pinked, "I'm not use to this."

"I know. You lie to protect yourself, but I like to think we are friends."

"I never had friends…" Wren paused and her eyes widen, "Wait, How did you-"

"Know?" Felicia chuckled, "The innkeeper told me about you. She said you were getting back to your sick grandpa. She was worried you were in danger, so I went to check on you."

"You lied to me," Wren was taken aback, but thought for a moment, "Well, fair enough."

Felicia nodded, "Yes, we all have our secrets. You have a reason you don't want to tell. I get it."

Wren looked up to her, "Will we meet again Felicia?"

'She tries really hard. She can grow up to be a resilient woman,' Felicia nodded, "When our paths cross again, take care Wren." Felicia then turned back to enter town again while Wren turned to make her way to Midgar.

What a cool lady, Wren thought.

~7~

Trekking through the wastelands, the rain started. Droplets sprinkled Wren's head before she pulled her hood on.

It was clear when I was in Kalm yesterday, this weather is weird, she sighs, "I hope I make it soon." While she was walking earlier in the day, it was sunny; but she also heard a battle going on in the distance. She remembered distinct gunshots and it made her more paranoid, I hope I make it soon.

Then she passed over a rocky hill where the rain stopped, but the clouds were still gloomy. She spots the massive city in the distance, "There it is!"

Wren excitedly sprints over until something caught her eye, huh? There was a random line in the dirt. She examined the ground even more until she was interrupted by the sound of a piece of metal being dragged. She focused her hearing and caught sounds of weak footsteps. Wren cautiously paced closer to the noise. She came into view of a blonde-haired man dragging a massive sword. She also noticed he was struggling in his walk, is he hurt? She ran up to him, "Hey!"

The man momentarily stopped and blankly looked over to her, "Huh?" Was what Wren heard but his eyes told another answer, 'Zack… I'm sorry…' He turned away to continue his path.

That was blood on his head… She went in front of him, where he paused, "Um… Hi… Uhh… I'm Wren… What's your name?" She shifted under his gaze for some reason, but she continued to make eye contact, His eyes are pretty.

'Zack…Sorry… SOLDIER…. Legacy… Cloud are you okay?...' The man uttered, "W-Wren…Ngh" He grabbed his head in pain before slumping down.

Wren panic and approached the man's slumped form, "Are you okay?" When Wren put her hand on his shoulder, a lighting sensation on familiarity rushed through her, Huh?! For a moment, she could of swore she a saw a silver haired man out of the corner of her eyes, but when she looked, there was no one; I don't think it's a good idea to leave him. She tried to lift him up and was partially successful. Luckily, halfway up, he managed to lift himself the rest of the way.

The man continued his dragging walk, "Mer-cen-ary…"

Her ears perked, "Wait, I will go with you," she quickened her pace to catch up, "I'm mercenary too." She showed him her weapons, "See~ Let me help." She tried to help him with his sword, but he shrugged her off.

"No…" He kept moving forward and she continued to keep up with him.

~7~

When they reached the entrance of Midgar, the solo guard was wary of the pair.

The guard blocked their path, "Identification."

The blonde man blankly stared at the guard, "Uh-"

This is bad, Wren jumps between the blonde and guard, "B-Brother!" She lightly pushed the blonde man back, "I will handle it, like I always do."

'SOLDIER… Legacy… Dreams…Brother…' The man blankly looks at her, "B-Bro-ther."

He's not all there…She a forced a smile, "Yep, and I'm your sister." She lightly pats his chest before she turned to the guard, even with a helmet she heard his inner thoughts.

'Wow, what a pitiful guy… Has to rely on his kid sister for help… Wait…' The guard raised a brow, "You guys are siblings?"

Roll with it, she pouted at the guard, "How mean." She pointed her finger in accusation, "My sick brother needs help and your stressing him out. Why wouldn't we come here for no other reason?! Our parents are waiting inside. How can you call yourself a guard if you can't figure out who lives here?!"

'Wow, what a feisty kid… Must be tough for her,' The guard was taken aback, "Sorry, no need to fuss. I will open the gate."

"You better," Then Wren gently pulled the blonde man's hand, "Come on brother."

The gate opened, and the pair entered the city.

The guard closed the gate when he saw the pair successfully entered and he shrugged while he walked back to his post, "What a feisty kid…Wait." He paused, "I didn't get their identifications."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I didn't intend for it to be long, but I couldn't stop writing. Wren made it to Midgar, yay~ Leave a comment if you have any feedback. Until next time (-^u^-)y