Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

The night was quiet as Helios leaned back in his chair. His mind wandered to the vast possibilities: accessing Space Paranoids, modifying the digital environment, and, if needed, building a place hidden from both light and darkness. Somewhere he could store plans, resources, and anything else he might need.

For now, though, he had to be cautious, especially since Merlin could return without warning. He would find a chest soon enough, but for now, concealing the hard drive beneath the floorboards would suffice. Once he locked it away, he considered hiding it in the World of Darkness until he was ready to retrieve it. However, upon further thinking all the landmasses collapsed and decayed so he wasn't sure if it wouldn't affect the drive.

After a final glance out the window, Helios got up, closing the curtains with care. The peaceful exterior of Radiant Garden was a stark contrast to the view he used to see in Nightfall.

As Helios lay down to sleep, Kurai's voice echoed in his mind, its tone laced with thinly veiled impatience. "So… now that you have the hard drive and the data you wanted, we'll be leaving this annoyingly bright world soon, yes?"

Helios didn't answer right away, staring at the ceiling as he mulled over his thoughts. "No. Not yet," he replied finally.

Kurai paused, as if surprised. "Oh? And why not?"

"Because my mastery of magic is still incomplete," Helios explained. "And I've only just started grasping programming and Gummi Ship engineering. If I leave now, I'll lose access to the resources I need to fully develop those skills."

There was a silence from Kurai, as if it were weighing his words. Finally, it spoke, a hint of mockery creeping into its tone. "Tell me, Helios… is your reluctance to leave truly because of skill-building? Or perhaps," it paused, savoring the moment, "have you formed… bonds with the people here?"

Helios stiffened, caught off guard by the remark. He felt his jaw tighten, but he said nothing, letting the silence stretch. Kurai's voice took on a cold, condescending edge.

"This is amusing," it murmured, its tone chillingly detached. "If I had the capacity to laugh, I might do so. You, the boy who abandoned his own parents so that you may live, now entertaining the idea of attachments? With these trivial, useless people? You are a being who belongs on the side of darkness so why form an attachment with those who will undoubtedly become your enemies in the future."

Helios's hand tightened into a fist as he lay there, his gaze hardening as he stared into the darkened ceiling. He felt a flicker of anger at Kurai's words, but he kept his voice steady. "And yet, here we are, Kurai. Whether you like it or not, we need this world. Attachments or not, the skills I can learn here will serve our purpose when the time comes."

Kurai gave a low hum, its presence cold and dark within his mind. "Then let us hope your attachments do not become our undoing. Hearts are fragile things, after all. You may think you're simply biding your time, but the heart has ways of creeping up on even the most guarded. I will be watching and if I deem your actions to be at my detriment then this little friendship or partnership we have shall end. Am I understood?"

Helios let the silence answer Kurai. He could feel Kurai retreat, its presence becoming a faint whisper in the recesses of his mind, though he could sense its lingering dissatisfaction. Closing his eyes, Helios forced himself to drift off, his thoughts fractured between the mission he'd set himself on and the companions he'd found unexpectedly valuable.

As Helios lay there in the dark, he wrestled with Kurai's words. They gnawed at him, stirring a tension he couldn't quite shake. He wanted to believe he was above attachments, that every connection he made in Radiant Garden was merely a part of his plan. But the faces of Isa, Lea, and even Cid came to mind unbidden. Their genuine friendship had offered him something he hadn't expected: the simple comfort of camaraderie. For so long, he'd only known solitude and survival, never trusting, never letting himself depend on anyone especaiily his dark accquitence Kurai.

'But isn't that exactly how darkness seeps in?' Kurai's words echoed in his mind, but he brushed them aside with an iron resolve. Tomorrow, he'd go back to training. His time here wasn't indefinite—he had goals to achieve. And the small comforts he found here should not dissuade him from his ultimate goal of bring back his parents.

Sleep, however, came reluctantly, and he drifted in and out of strange dreams. He saw flickering images of his home, Nightfall, cast in shadow and engulfed in darkness. He could see his parents' faces, blurry and distant, reaching out toward him in pain before vanishing into the dark mist. Then, the scene shifted, and he was in Radiant Garden, the comforting glow of the marketplace and laughter of his friends somehow feeling like a distant memory, slipping further away each time he tried to hold on. Helios awoke in cold sweat to the faint light of dawn seeping through the curtains, feeling an unexplainable ache that settled heavily on his chest. Shaking it off, he forced himself to focus.

By mid-morning, Helios was at the city outskirts, practicing his spells, each cast of Cure and Aero sharper, faster than the day before. He poured himself into the movements, repeating each spell until he could cast it instinctively. Afterward, he worked on the Esuna and Slow spell Merlin had passed onto him. With every flick of his wrist and surge of energy, he imagined himself closer to his goal. He had nearly exhausted himself when he sensed a figure approaching from behind.

"Well, look who's been busy. Haven't seen you for almost a full 24 hours," came a voice. Helios turned to find Lea and Isa standing there, looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"Sorry about always bailing out on you guys. It's just that Merlin has been teaching me a lot of things and he wants me to get them down before…" Helios replied, a hint of a smirk breaking through his exhaustion.

"Before what?" asked a concerned Isa

"Oh nothing," said Helios trying to smooth things over.

"Oh come on friends don't keep secrets from each other. Now spill it!" said Lea as he put his arm around Helios' neck.

"Alright cool it, man. Merlin said that things were about to get hectic so I should keep my eyes out for anything strange and tell him if I see something," said Helios as he freed himself from Lea's grasp.

Isa's expression grew serious. "Hectic? What exactly did he mean by that?"

Helios shrugged, keeping his voice calm. "He didn't specify much—just told me that some things were brewing under the surface. Apparently, he's worried there might be changes coming to Radiant Garden. He asked me to keep a low profile and stay vigilant."

Lea's brows knitted together in curiosity. "Changes, huh? Sounds… ominous. But hey, with us around, you've got nothing to worry about!" he added, his usual grin returning.

Helios managed a small smile, but his mind was elsewhere, the weight of Kurai's words and the strange ache from his dream lingering in the back of his thoughts.

Isa glanced around, his sharp gaze sweeping over the area as if he might spot something hidden. "If Merlin thinks something is going on, it's best we all stay on guard." He looked at Helios, concern hidden behind his usual composed demeanor. "I'll admit, I'm not used to dealing with this kind of thing, but if you ever need backup, we're here."

Lea gave Isa a playful shove, laughing. "Oh, come on, Mr. Serious, it's not like the place is crawling with any bad guys. Radiant Garden's about as safe as they come."

But Isa's caution lingered. "Perhaps. Still, being cautious and prepared never hurts."

Helios appreciated their support, though he knew the real dangers would likely surpass anything Isa or Lea could imagine. "Thanks, both of you. I feel better knowing you're around. But really, don't worry too much. If anything does happen, I can take care of myself."

They stood together in the quiet outskirts for a while, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the city. As they turned to head back, Lea punched Helios lightly on the shoulder.

"You know," Lea began, a hint of mischief in his eyes, "you could have invited us to your magic training. I've always wanted to see those fancy spells up close!"

Isa scoffed, shaking his head. "Yes, because you'd totally pay attention and not turn it into a joke."

Lea shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? Maybe I'd learn something. And hey, it wouldn't hurt to have some extra magic tricks up my sleeve."

Helios smirked. "I don't know, Lea. You might blow yourself up before casting a single spell."

Lea's laughter echoed through the air, infectious as ever. "Hey, I'm tougher than I look! Get it memorized!"

Isa rolled his eyes, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Maybe you'll have your chance someday, Lea. Just… try not to get too carried away."

Helios chuckled and said, "No it's okay. I only know a few spells but I can teach one each. Think of it as thanks for sharing my worries with me. Oh, and before you ask Lea I'll teach you a fire spell and Isa and wind one."