Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

She led him to the dining table, her presence looming over the modest space, and began her demonstration. The air seemed to thicken as she raised her hand, her fingers weaving patterns in the air, leaving behind faint trails of dark energy that seemed to twist and coil. Helios watched in silence, absorbing every movement, every flicker of magic that emanated from her.

"Dark magic can override the natural order of a world or bend it to the caster's will," she explained, her voice calm, yet charged with intensity. "It is not only a force but a weapon, one that is most effective when used to inflict damage and control others."

She paused, her gaze sharp as she continued. "We'll begin with the simplest hexes, easy enough for even an amateur to cast effectively. They are straightforward but potent when used with intent."

With a flourish, she lifted her hand, a faint swirl of dark energy forming around her fingers. "The Hex of Dizziness," she began, and with a twist of her wrist, the energy pulsed, a faint ripple emanating from her hand. "This hex clouds the mind, making the target feel lightheaded, disoriented. A useful disruption for creating openings or making a quick escape."

Helios nodded, observing the way her energy twisted and moved with purpose. She continued, shifting the energy with a simple gesture that gave it an edge, as though imbued with a subtle malice.

"Next, the Hex of Misfortune," Maleficent said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "With this, one's luck falters. Small, irritating incidents—a stubbed toe, a fallen object, minor accidents—befall them in quick succession. Imagine a rival tripping over their own feet in battle or a meddler distracted by their own clumsiness."

She demonstrated, the energy twisting into an erratic, almost playful shape before dissipating. The ease with which she conjured each spell was a reminder of her mastery, the very power she wielded as second nature.

"The Hex of Silent Speech," she went on, her voice smooth. "This one mutes the target, cutting off their voice, their ability to cry for help or cast a spell. It's temporary but effective in sowing despair."

A subtle shroud of magic formed and disappeared, a trace of silence that seemed to absorb the ambient sounds around them for a brief moment before dissipating. Helios watched intently, realizing the tactical potential of each hex she presented.

"The Hex of Weakness," she intoned, a faint glow of darker energy enveloping her hand. "It saps the strength from an opponent, leaving them feeling weak, fatigued, and ineffective. A spell to use when brute force is on your side, but your enemy's strength rivals yours."

She let the energy fall away, leaving a chill in the air before turning her cold gaze on him. "Finally, the Hex of Forgetfulness. This one is as subtle as it is potent. A slight nudge to the mind that makes the target forget something important, whether a name, an instruction, or even an object in hand. Confusion is, after all, a powerful weapon."

The energy shimmered around her fingers before dissolving. She crossed her arms, observing him with a critical eye. "These are simple hexes," she declared, her tone dismissive. "Effective against simple-minded or magically weak individuals. Use them wisely."

Helios nodded, his mind already working through potential uses. Each hex held a unique value, offering ways to control and disrupt without drawing undue attention. Maleficent watched him closely, a knowing gleam in her eyes as though she understood his thoughts perfectly.

"The simplicity of these hexes," she continued, her voice growing colder, "is deceptive. Magic, like darkness, requires intention and focus. One must believe in the outcome for it to take effect. Half-hearted casting will yield half-hearted results. Your will," she pressed, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "must be unwavering."

Helios met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words sink into him. "Understood."

"Good," she replied, her tone softer but no less intense. "Show me. Try the Hex of Dizziness."

He took a breath, centering himself as he recalled her movements. Carefully, he raised his hand, channeling his focus into the spell. He envisioned the feeling of dizziness, disorientation, letting that energy pool around his hand. With a twist of his wrist, he released it, a faint ripple pulsing through the air. It wasn't as potent as hers, but he saw the faint shimmer in the air before it vanished.

Maleficent observed, an eyebrow raised. "Not terrible, for a first attempt," she commented. "But remember, it is intent that fuels the spell. You must want the target to suffer disorientation. Imagine it in detail. Their confusion, their weakness, should be your aim."

He tried again, this time letting a sliver of his own frustrations fuel the spell, channeling the irritation from his recent encounter with Lea into his casting. The ripple was stronger this time, sharper, and Maleficent's slight nod told him he had improved.

"Better," she allowed. "Repeat this with each hex until it becomes second nature. With repetition, you will find control."

Helios continued practicing under her critical gaze, each hex growing stronger with each attempt. The power felt different from the elemental magic Merlin had taught him—this was subtler, invasive, as though it crept into the target's very being. Each successful cast felt like a step deeper the dark emotion he buried, a choice made permanent with every new hex he mastered.

After a while, Maleficent raised her hand, signaling him to stop. "Enough for now," she said, her tone indicating that the lesson was over. "You have the basics, but mastery is a distant goal. Practice these spells until they become instinct, for if you falter, your enemies will show no mercy."

Helios nodded, the simplicity of the spells belied the danger they carried, and he could feel the part of himself that embraced the darkness grow stronger with each attempt.

Maleficent watched him for a moment longer, a faint smirk of satisfaction crossing her lips. "Remember, boy," she said, her voice softer, almost a murmur. "True power lies not just in the strength of your spells, but in the willingness to wield them without hesitation. You are on the right path—do not waver."

With that, she turned and swept away, leaving him alone in the dim room, the residue of dark energy lingering in the air. Helios remained still for a moment, his gaze unfocused as he processed the lesson.

Kurai's voice stirred within him, its tone pleased and almost approving. "Finally you've made some progress after leaving the dark realm. You're finally becoming who you were meant to be, unburdened by your subconscious fear of darkness. Continue like this, and you may yet surpass even her."