Morning light filtered through the shutters of the inn, painting thin stripes across the wooden floor. The small room the five had rented was hardly meant for such a group; beds were squeezed side by side, gear stacked in messy piles near the door.
The peace of dawn didn't last.
"ZZZZZZZZZ—"
Zack's snoring thundered like a beast, rattling the rafters. Aerith, curled on her side, groaned and pulled a pillow over her head.
"Does he have to breathe like a behemoth?" she muttered.
Galuf, already sitting at the edge of his bed, stretched with a yawn and scratched his beard. "Better that than silence. At least we know he's alive. Besides, I've heard worse—back when I camped with a chocobo caravan. Believe me, you haven't lived until you've shared a tent with one of those."
Aerith peeked out from under the pillow, glaring. "Not helping."
Noctis groaned, rolling over, his hair sticking up in every direction. "I was having a good dream. Then Zack started… that."
Reks was already awake, sitting cross-legged on his bed, polishing his sword and shield. His young face wore a calm determination. "You get used to it. My bunk in Rabanastre barracks was worse."
"Used to it?" Aerith whispered incredulously. "This is torture."
At last, Zack stirred, snorting awake. He blinked blearily, rubbing his eyes. "Huh? What's with all the glaring? Morning already?"
"Yes, morning already," Aerith snapped, tossing her pillow at his head.
Zack caught it with a grin. "Hey, don't blame me. Good rest means I'm ready to save the world again."
"Or annoy it," Galuf muttered with a chuckle.
Noctis dragged himself upright, groaning. "Let's just get out of here before he starts up again."
---
The Bazaar
The markets of Ul'dah were already alive by the time the five reached them. Merchants shouted over one another, hawking jewels, spices, and weapons. Chocobos clucked and whinnied as handlers led them through the streets. The air shimmered with heat and noise.
"Now this is what I'm talking about," Zack said, stretching his arms wide. "Energy everywhere."
He was immediately pulled into an argument with a vendor claiming his swords could "cut through an iron wall." Within minutes, the vendor shoved a practice blade into Zack's hands. A crowd gathered as the ex-SOLDIER grinned, showing off a series of swift strikes that left the weapon ringing.
Aerith sighed, facepalming. "He just had to draw a crowd."
Reks watched carefully, though. "His form… it's solid. Even here, people are impressed."
Noctis smirked. "That's Zack for you."
Meanwhile, Aerith was drawn to a flower stall tucked in the corner of the bazaar. The petals were strange, glowing faintly with aether, yet their fragrance was gentle. She touched one with reverence, her eyes soft.
"They're beautiful," she whispered.
The Lalafell merchant beamed. "Conjurers use them in rituals, miss. They respond to gentle hands."
Aerith smiled faintly, the words settling in her heart. She bought a single bloom, tucking it carefully into her braid.
Galuf, of course, had other priorities. He sniffed the air and followed the scent of roasted meat. Before long, he was locked in an arm-wrestling match with a massive Roegadyn butcher, laughing so loudly it turned heads.
"C'mon, lad!" Galuf roared. "You call that strength? I've opened ale barrels heavier than you!"
The crowd roared with laughter as Galuf slammed the butcher's hand down, then cheered even louder when the butcher demanded a rematch.
Noctis leaned against a post, shaking his head. "We're supposed to blend in, remember?"
Reks chuckled softly. "I think they're doing a great job. Just… not quietly."
---
The Coliseum
By midday, the five found themselves drawn to the coliseum, its grand arena echoing with cheers. Fighters clashed steel against steel below, sparks flying, sand kicked into the air.
Zack leaned over the railing, eyes blazing. "Oh, I need to get down there."
"No," Aerith said immediately.
"Yes," Galuf countered, smirking. "Let the boy fight. Better here than against a dragon again."
Reks, though, didn't watch Zack. His gaze stayed locked on the fighters' movements, memorizing their stances and tactics. "Their coordination is sharp. They aren't just brawling—they're learning as they fight."
Noctis gave a small nod. "Smart kid. Watching is part of training too."
Zack groaned dramatically. "Why do I always get stuck with the cautious types?"
Aerith gave him a look. "Because we don't want to drag you back from the infirmary again."
The banter drew laughs from nearby spectators, who mistook them for ordinary adventurers ribbing one another. For the first time in weeks, the five didn't mind being seen that way.
---
The Tavern
By nightfall, the group crammed into a bustling tavern lit with lanterns and filled with music. Ale flowed freely, and laughter rose over the strum of bards' lutes.
Galuf was in his element, tankard in hand. "Now this is living! Food, drink, and music! What more could a man want?"
Aerith sipped water with a smile, shaking her head. "Some restraint, maybe."
Zack had already been pulled into singing with the bard. His voice was loud, off-key, and completely shameless. The crowd clapped along, half-jeering and half-cheering. Aerith laughed so hard tears pricked her eyes.
Reks, meanwhile, turned scarlet when a barmaid leaned over to compliment his "knightly bearing." Zack spotted it immediately, shouting across the room: "Look at that, our boy's already popular!"
Reks buried his face in his mug, mumbling, "Please stop."
Noctis, surprisingly, smirked. "Guess you'll have to get used to attention, Reks."
The laughter rolled around their table, warm and genuine. For the first time since Alexandria's fall, they weren't warriors haunted by loss. They were just people—laughing, teasing, living.
---
Nightfall
Later, they stumbled out into the cool desert air, bellies full, faces flushed with laughter.
They stood on a balcony overlooking Ul'dah, lanterns glowing below like scattered stars.
Zack leaned against the railing, sighing contentedly. "This… this was good. We needed this."
Aerith tucked her flower tighter into her braid. "One day just being normal… it helps."
Galuf raised his tankard one last time. "To surviving, to training, and to whatever madness tomorrow brings!"
Reks smiled, his face still a little red. "And to staying together."
Noctis gave a quiet nod. "Yeah. Together."
Above them, unseen, the Aetherveil floated in silence. Sirius stood on its deck, watching the five below. His face was calm, but his voice—soft, almost a whisper—carried weight.
"Let them have this. Tomorrow, their real paths begin."
Aether answered in her calm tone. "Acknowledged, Master. Logging: successful integration and morale restoration."