Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Before the effects of the hex fully settled in, Helios took the opportunity to rise from his bed, moving swiftly despite the pain wracking his body. He had cast it just in time, and he could hear murmurs of confusion behind him as he exited. "I was never here," he muttered to himself as he slipped out the door, feeling a strange wave of relief.

Outside, he paused for a moment to regain his bearings. His vision swam slightly, but he forced himself to keep moving. He needed to get back to Merlin's cottage, to regroup and tend to his wounds properly. The memory of Sephiroth's relentless attacks haunted his every step, the sharp pain from his injuries a constant reminder of how close he'd come to being defeated.

As he neared the cottage, he noticed that the air around it held an unusual stillness. The sounds of bustling villagers were muted in the distance, and an eerie calm settled over the path leading to the door. When he entered, he was met with a sight he never would have expected: Maleficent and Sephiroth sitting across from one another at the small table, quietly sipping tea. The dark figure of Sephiroth, an enigma of power and malice, seemed completely out of place in the cozy, cluttered cottage. Maleficent, composed as always, looked as though she were hosting a formal tea party rather than sharing a table with a man whose very presence radiated danger.

A laugh escaped Helios before he could stop himself, echoing through the cottage. "Well," he chuckled, struggling to catch his breath through the pain, "I guess Merlin's house is now officially 'Foster's Home for Dark Beings.'"

Maleficent's gaze snapped toward him, her brows arching in disapproval. "Have you gone mad?" she asked, her voice a mix of irritation and curiosity. Sephiroth's expression remained stoic, though his piercing eyes followed Helios's movements with a calculated intensity.

Helios shook his head, stifling another laugh. "No, not mad," he replied, wiping a smear of dirt and dried blood from his cheek. "Just a little… amused. This is not exactly what I expected to come home to." He gestured toward Sephiroth, then added, "I'll be right back. I'm in dire need of a bath."

Maleficent's eyes traveled over him with a look of faint distaste. "A wise decision," she remarked coolly. "Yes, you're filth." A beat later, she corrected herself with a faint smirk, "I mean, filthy. It would hardly do for you to continue traipsing around in that state."

Helios nodded, grinning despite the weariness tugging at him. "Noted. I'll be quick." With that, he moved down the hallway, heading toward the small washroom. He winced with every step, each ache and bruise a reminder of the fierce battle he'd just endured. Sephiroth… even in their brief exchange, Helios had felt the raw power emanating from him. He wasn't just a warrior; he was a force of nature, and now he was sitting in his temporary home like an invited guest.

As he washed off the grime and blood, Helios replayed the encounter with Sephiroth in his mind, analyzing each strike, each narrow dodge, wondering how he had survived at all. He knew it was luck more than skill that had kept him alive, along with Sephiroth's mercurial interest in his proposition. Still, that interest was precarious at best, and he would need to tread carefully.

After cleaning up and bandaging his wounds, Helios dressed in fresh clothes and returned to the main room, where Maleficent and Sephiroth were still seated in silence. The quiet felt thick with tension, as though an unspoken agreement held them both at bay, but for how long, Helios couldn't guess.

Maleficent turned her sharp gaze on him as he re-entered, as if assessing his resolve. "Well, now that you're… presentable, perhaps you can explain why you've returned in such a deplorable state. I assume you've dealt with something troublesome?"

Helios met her gaze, choosing his words carefully. "A complication, but one I've handled—for now. Let's just say I encountered a being of significant… strength. One who could be an asset to us if approached correctly."

Sephiroth's eyes flickered at Helios's words, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Interesting choice of words. But remember, boy, that our 'agreement' is only as strong as your ability to provide what you promised. The moment you fail, this arrangement will end… and so will you."

Helios nodded, accepting the thinly veiled threat with a steady gaze. "Duly noted, Sephiroth. I'm not one to take my promises lightly. Since you've met you can ask her."

Maleficent watched the exchange with a faint glimmer of amusement. "It seems you've been quite busy," she said, her voice a soft murmur. "First, you make an alliance with me, and now recruiting new… associates. You're treading a dangerous path, boy. You've made both of us different promises. I wonder if you'll be able to keep them."

Helios smirked, meeting her gaze. "That's my problem to worry about. You just keep your end of the bargain and we'll both get what we want." He took a seat across from them, leaning back despite the stiffness in his muscles. "So you worry about teaching me all you know. Besides," he added, a sly glint in his eye, "it seems I'm not the only one here looking to make unconventional alliances. If you wish to deal with the man do so. Don't try to use me to make a deal. My deal with him is very different and none of your business."

Maleficent's expression remained impassive, though he saw the faintest flicker of anger in her eyes. As darkness poured out of her she spoke. "Watch you tone boy. Deal or no deal I will not tolerate disrespect."

Without looking at her Helios responded, "Noted."

Sephiroth leaned back, his gaze fixed on Helios with an intensity that felt as sharp as his blade. "I hope you'll show me what you promised soon," he said quietly, his voice a low rumble. "I don't believe I am a patient person."

Helios sank back into his seat, meeting Sephiroth's intense gaze and feeling the weight of both their presences bearing down on him. The tension in the room was thick, crackling like electricity, and for a moment, Helios felt as though he were standing on the edge of a cliff, with Maleficent and Sephiroth both waiting to see if he would fall or rise to meet their expectations.

"I'll keep my word," Helios said calmly, his voice steady, though the strain of the day weighed on him. "Just be ready to keep to your part when I ask it. You'll find your strength put to the test soon enough. I promise you of that."

Sephiroth's smirk didn't waver, though his eyes grew colder. "See that you do. I don't appreciate empty promises."