Chapter 13: Corel Village

We arrived at Corel Village, and the air was thick with that distinct, dusty scent unique to mining towns—a smell that clung to the back of my throat.

To be honest, a woman in a vibrant crimson dress stands out like a sore thumb in a place like this. It’s impossible not to draw eyes. If I were flanked by standard Public Security troopers, it might be a different story, but having the handsome Cloud as my lone bodyguard makes for a rather peculiar pair. Then again, Cloud alone is far more reassuring than a small army of grunts, and besides, extra guards only get in the way when you’re trying to plot behind the scenes.

When we reached the tavern, the village head and the local elders had already gathered. Their expressions were far from bright; most kept their eyes glued to the floor in a heavy silence. After a few brief greetings, I took my seat and watched the discussion unfold.

Their gloom was understandable. They were being forced to face the miserable reality of Corel’s current state. Most of the residents work as coal miners, yet their wages are insultingly low. Furthermore, there is no safety net—no insurance—to cover accidents or injuries in the mines. While they once had modest personal savings and managed communal assets, those resources have dried up as the mining industry withered. Today, personal savings are virtually non-existent. Consequently, if a miner is injured on the job, there is no compensation to catch them.

This is where the construction of a Mako Reactor becomes their lifeline. During the construction phase, the company will hire locals who know Mt. Corel best, and once the reactor is operational, a portion of the profits will be funneled back into the village. Until the reactor is complete, the mines will remain active, and the workers will finally be covered by insurance.

Still, it means eventually abandoning the mines for good. For those who have protected this way of life for generations, it is a bitter pill to swallow. Poverty robs people of their peace of mind. Things are manageable for now, but the desire to spare their children from this hardship is genuine. That heavy reality weighed on them, forcing a final decision.

"The only one still opposing is Dyne, but..."

The village head looked apologetically toward a single man. His name was Dyne—the only miner in the village still standing against the Mako Reactor. He understands Corel’s predicament; it’s not that he prefers poverty. But to him, relying on a Mako Reactor is nothing less than sealing the fate of the mines with their own hands.

"I’m against it," Dyne declared. "Abandoning the mines is unthinkable."

No one wants to throw away the mines. But the cold, hard truth is that coal is a dead industry. Everyone can feel it in their bones. Dyne’s opposition seemed more like a desperate clinging to pride.

"But Dyne," a large man spoke up, attempting to reason with him. "Nobody uses coal anymore. We sweat and bleed every damn day, and our lives don't get one bit better."

This was Barret Wallace—the man who, in another life, would become Cloud’s comrade and employer. At this point, the reactor explosion that would fuel his hatred for Shinra had not yet occurred, and his trademark Gimmick Arm was nowhere to be seen.

With his natural leadership and dependable personality, he had clearly become the head of the pro-reactor faction. Barret stood up and gripped the shoulder of the protesting Dyne, looking him straight in the eye as he spoke softly.

"I don't want to make Myrna live through this struggle anymore."

Myrna was Barret’s wife. They didn't have children yet, but in their current environment, even wishing for a child felt like a luxury. If it were just him, Barret might have endured it. But for his wife’s sake, someone had to find a way out of this stagnation. That sense of duty was clearly what drove him to lead the charge for the reactor.

"I feel the same way!" Dyne shouted, turning to the elders. "But I don't want to admit that coal is useless. If the coal is useless, then we are useless too!"

Dyne wanted to shout it to the world. To admit coal was obsolete was to admit that their entire way of life had been rejected by the era. He simply couldn't look that reality in the face.

"This is a fundamental difference in how they choose to live," I thought. "Talks alone won't bridge this gap."

I understood Dyne’s feelings, but sentiment doesn't drive business, nor does it sustain a lifestyle. Just as history dictates, it fell to me to decide the fate of this village with a single word.

"Village Head, perhaps it is time for a vote?"

Without a nudge, this meeting would never end. Even then, the village head seemed to lack the resolve, casting a glance at Barret for confirmation. Barret narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing as he gave a sharp, solemn nod.

"Very well. We shall put it to a vote."

The village head stood and distributed small slips of paper. As people began to write, Dyne slumped into his chair, burying his face in his hands. Barret, looking like a man who had accepted his destiny, was the first to drop his ballot into the box. Cloud watched the scene silently. Once everyone had finished, the village head began to speak.

I already knew the result, of course. I also knew what the Shinra Electric Power Company would eventually do to Corel. What do I have to fear now? I told myself. I closed my eyes and listened as the head read the ballots one by one.

This was the crossroads where the fates of many would change. My heart ached slightly, but I reminded myself that this was business. This was the job.

In the end, there was only one vote against the construction of the Mako Reactor.

"We shall put it to a vote."

The old man’s voice echoed. Usually, his thin voice would be drowned out by the noise of the tavern, but today it rang clear through the silence.

Listen, Dyne.

If we could keep living off the mines like we used to, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But we’ve hit our limit. You’re scraping by just to keep little Marlene fed, aren't ya?

It was a hell of a choice, but someone had to make it.

When the old man first told me about the Mako proposal, I knew it was the only path left. If I could’ve supported Myrna by working elsewhere as a laborer, maybe I would’ve. But the thought of our families and friends being able to stay together in this village... that meant everything to me. Maybe it is a betrayal of our past. But I want a bright future for Myrna, and for your daughter Marlene too!

Deep down, everyone here wants to side with you.

The old man handed me a slip of paper. Just a tiny scrap I’d usually use for notes. I doubt I’ll ever hold a piece of paper that feels this heavy again.

I scribbled my answer, let out a long breath, and stood up to walk toward the ballot box. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me—every step, every movement watched. Enduring the weight of those stares, I dropped my vote inside.

The others followed suit. The woman from Shinra—an executive—and her bodyguard just stood there silently, watching us settle our resolve. Finally, Dyne placed his hand in the box with a hollow weakness.

The old man read each vote carefully. We all knew the result. No one cheered. We just accepted it.

"Now then, I shall explain how your lives will change with the construction of the Mako Reactor. However, everyone looks quite exhausted. Shall we take a ten-minute recess?"

With that, the woman and the man beside her stepped outside. The suffocating tension eased just a bit as people stretched, finally finding a moment to breathe.

"Hey, Dyne..."

"I know, Barret. I know you aren't throwing the mines away because you want to."

Dyne gave a weak laugh and stood up, wandering out the door. The others followed, likely needing the fresh air. Before I knew it, only the old man and I were left in the tavern.

"Sorry, Barret. I put a heavy burden on you."

"Nah, don't worry about it. I was the one who went around convincing everyone. You don't need to lose sleep over it, Pop."

He set a glass of water in front of me. I downed it in one go, the cold water stinging my throat—making me realize how much heat I’d been holding inside.

"This isn't the end. We’re gonna start a new life along with that reactor."

"Exactly," the old man nodded. "Lady Scarlet, the one here for the briefing, has been very receptive to our requests. I'm sure things won't turn out badly."

"Scarlet? That woman in the flashy dress?"

"Yes. She’s a high-ranking executive at Shinra—the head of Advanced Weaponry and the one in charge of this project. Barret, I’ll be leaning on you even more from here on out."

To think a top Shinra exec would come all the way to the sticks. They must be serious about this new reactor.

"Yeah, I guess I better make sure she likes me."

They said they’d be hiring our people for the construction, so we’ll be seeing a lot of them. I wanted to build a good relationship, but I wasn't sure what to make of that flashy makeup and dress. She stood out way too much; the guys in the village would probably be too intimidated to even speak to her. The young guy with her seemed easier to talk to, but as a bodyguard, he probably didn't have much say in anything.

I realized I’d have to be the one to bridge the gap with the Shinra crowd. Just as I was thinking that, the door opened and Scarlet and the man returned. Might as well introduce myself properly now.

"Lady Scarlet, I look forward to working with you... for the sake of Corel and the new reactor."

"The feeling is mutual," she replied. "Let us build a prosperous partnership between Shinra and Corel."

"Indeed. Ah, I haven't introduced him yet. This is Barret Wallace. He leads the miners."

"Barret Wallace. Nice to meet ya."

I started to bow and instinctively reached out to shake her hand, but then I saw my palm—black and stained with coal soot. Realizing how rude it would be, I hurried to wipe it on my pants. But Scarlet didn't seem to care; she reached out and gripped my hand firmly.

She looks high-maintenance, but she might just have a backbone of steel.

"Mr. Wallace, I would actually like to inspect the Corel mines after the briefing. Would you be willing to act as our guide?"

"A guide? I don't mind, but it’s no place for a lady in those clothes. We clear 'em out regularly, but monsters still crawl in there from time to time."

"Do not worry. Cloud?"

The man beside her stepped forward and gave a slight nod.

"I am Cloud Strife, Lady Scarlet’s bodyguard. You needn't worry about monsters."

"He may be young, but his skills are peerless," Scarlet added. "I'll be fine. Please, would you show us the mines before the construction begins?"

I could understand wanting to see the site, and it wasn't a bad idea for them to see the conditions we worked in. We’d just finished a monster cull for today anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue.

"Alright. I’ll lead the way once the meeting’s over."

"Thank you. And please, feel free to speak more casually. We are business partners, after all."

Scarlet gave me a bright smile.

My first impression was that she was just a flashy city woman, but she didn't have that typical corporate arrogance. If everyone at Shinra was like her, this might actually be easy.

The rest of the briefing was pretty standard. You can't change people's hearts overnight, but we had to start moving forward. There was talk of guaranteed jobs, and even ideas for new diners and inns to cater to the Shinra employees. Once it was over, the men headed home one by one. I figured most families would be having long talks tonight about the changes coming to the village.

I had a bit of time to head home and get ready, so I hurried back to tell Myrna the news. I couldn't dawdle, though—I still had one more job to do today.

"I'm home, Myrna! I’ve got some news..."