The sun was directly overhead when they arrived at the regional border. In the distance, the silhouette of Kalm was already coming into view, and the rough, rocky dirt road had transitioned into smooth asphalt. At this highway intersection, a signpost pointed the way: straight ahead to Kalm, and to the right toward Junon.
Even though the remnants of the wasteland and Mako pipes still stretched along the left and right sides of the road, Johnny and Aerith's eyes could already catch a drastic change: an expanse of green plains known as the Grasslands.
"Johnny, take me there!" Aerith exclaimed enthusiastically. "It's completely different over there. I can feel a very strong Lifestream from that place."
"Sure, Aerith," Johnny replied casually, reducing his speed. "That's why we're stopping by Kalm first. We'll have lunch there."
This time, Johnny didn't stop Aerith when she stood up, holding onto the edge of the sidecar to get a better look. A cool breeze carrying the scent of loose earth and fresh leaves began to replace the desert heat, blowing through Aerith's hair as she gazed in awe at the green expanse in the distance. Her eyes sparkled, and her smile widened. This was her first time seeing the true outside world.
"It's so beautiful, Johnny. I want to get out and step on the grass right now," Aerith murmured without looking away.
"Sure, Aerith," Johnny replied with a faint smile.
However, behind that faint smile, dark memories of the past churned within the Black Swordsman's mind. Unlike Aerith, who saw beauty and hope, for Johnny—or Guts in his past life—the sight of vast grassy plains was a reminder of a nightmare.
Open green expanses like the Grasslands were the battlefields of an endless war between Midland and Tudor. During his time as a mercenary, vast plains were the silent witnesses to thousands of bloody skirmishes and massive wars. Because of their flat and unobstructed geography, areas like this were always the primary clash points for those two military nations, long before the legendary battle at the Castle of Doldrey. To him, green pastures always harbored the metallic stench of blood and iron, no less deadly than the Wasteland surrounding Midgar.
Honestly, deep down in his heart, Johnny preferred Midgar. Even though the undercity of Sector 7 felt cramped, suffocated by steel plates, and slums, it was there that he found something he never had in his past life: the warmth of family and relatives.
Approaching the gates of the Kalm region, their journey was halted by a toll checkpoint guarded by two Shinra soldiers. Johnny didn't remove his sunglasses or his helmet at all. He simply pulled over slowly and presented the high-level Turks access card given by Reno. Seeing that symbol of absolute authority, the two soldiers immediately stood at attention, saluted, and opened the toll gate without daring to ask a single question.
However, as they drew closer to the center of Kalm, Johnny decided not to enter the town right away. He steered his motorcycle onto a small dirt path cutting through the vast green expanse. Once he felt they were far enough from the main road, he turned of the engine.
With agility and a radiant face, Aerith climbed out of the sidecar.
"Just look at it all... It's so green. A living, breathing planet," Aerith whispered in awe, her hands brushing against the grass beneath her. Ivalera and Puck flew closer, resting comfortably on Aerith's shoulders, sharing in the cool, gentle breeze.
The scenery there was truly breathtaking. A vast expanse of grasslands stretched out, interspersed with lush trees and surrounded by a sea of blooming wildflowers. Not just yellow lilies, but a spread of daisies, lavender, and wild roses in various colors. In the distance, low, moss-covered cliffs stood firmly, blending harmoniously with the giant windmills of Kalm turning slowly against the clouds.
Aerith stepped forward. With Puck and Ivalera fluttering alongside her, she jogged lightly and danced among the flower beds, letting the hem of her cape sweep across the grass. She took a deep breath, inhaling the air that felt so pure and refreshing.
Yet, amidst that joy, their Lifestream Bond made her sense something amiss. A heavy emotional resonance. Aerith turned and felt a profound unease radiating from Johnny, who remained seated in silence on his motorcycle.
Accompanied by her two guardian fairies, Aerith walked back to the giant man.
"Johnny... come on, let's enjoy the view while we can," she invited softly.
Johnny stayed silent. His gaze was vacant, fixated on the grassy fields swaying in the wind.
Aerith reached for Johnny's large, leather-gloved hand. "Does this view remind you of something?" she asked carefully.
Johnny let out a long, heavy sigh. "Too many things, Aerith," he answered hoarsely. "Grasslands like this... this is the kind of place where I used to spend my life fighting in endless wars. And this peaceful expanse as far as the eye can see... it also reminds me of the last time I saw the Isle of Elves before everything was destroyed."
Aerith tightened her grip on his hand.
"Johnny, that is your past," Aerith said, looking straight into his eyes. "Try to look forward. Smile for moments like this. Puck and Ivalera will also be sad if their knight keeps drowning in the past, right?"
Aerith smiled sweetly, then pulled Johnny's hand with a gentle force, prompting him to step off the motorcycle. She guided the armor-clad man to walk with her toward the thickest part of the flower field.
Aerith leaned down, touched a bright little flower, and then looked up at Johnny over her shoulder.
"This one's pretty. Don't you think?"
Seeing his fiancée's genuine smile beneath the open sky, the hardness on Johnny's face slowly faded. The burden of his past was lifted for a moment. He nodded slowly.
Around them, Puck and Ivalera flew in circles, returning to their joyful dance above the sea of flowers.