Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Helios woke in the predawn darkness, a chill lodged deep in his bones. The anticipation of what lay ahead filled him with a grim tension as he rose, moving through Merlin's cottage in silence. When he reached the door, he found Sephiroth already waiting, a dark, towering figure in the dim light.

Without a word, they opened a dark corridor and emerged moments later in the Purification Facility. The air here was cold and damp, thick with mist that clung to every surface, adding an eerie, pulsing glow to the metallic walls and thick cables winding along the floor. Massive tanks lined the walls, emitting an ominous hum, casting long, jagged shadows.

Helios raised his hand and cast a barrier spell around the platform, ensuring no sound would escape, nor any damage spill into the facility beyond. In the tense silence, Sephiroth's voice cut through like a blade. "Other than that barrier," he said, his gaze like steel, "I expect no magic. This will be a test of steel alone."

Sephiroth summoned Masamune, its impossibly long, thin blade gleaming, deadly and elegant. Helios summoned his own Keyblade, Equilibrium, gripping it tightly as he steeled himself.

Without warning, Sephiroth struck, a blur of movement as Masamune sliced through the air. Helios barely managed to parry, the clash of metal ringing out like a death knell. The force of the blow reverberated down to his bones, and he skidded back, his feet scraping against the floor, struggling to maintain his balance.

Sephiroth moved with deadly precision, each strike faster, stronger, and more relentless than the last. Helios found himself on the defensive immediately, barely blocking and dodging as the Masamune cut through the air with deadly intent. Every blow rattled him, every glint of Sephiroth's blade threatening to tear through his defenses.

Each sweeping arc of the Masamune drove Helios further back, forcing him toward the barrier. Sephiroth's movements were like a dance of death, his strikes calculated to corner and trap. Helios's back slammed against the barrier, and he only just ducked in time to avoid a devastating vertical slash that left a gash in the barrier, mere inches from his face.

Seizing the opportunity, Helios slashed upward, aiming for Sephiroth's torso. But Sephiroth twisted, fluid as water, and countered with a vicious, precise strike. Helios barely managed to block, the force of the blow jarring his arms, sending a shock of pain through his wrists. His grip tightened, fighting against the wave of fatigue threatening to overtake him.

"Is this all you have, boy?" Sephiroth's voice was a cold, merciless taunt. "You're only delaying the inevitable."

Ignoring the sting of Sephiroth's words, Helios lunged forward, feinting left before bringing Equilibrium down in a powerful strike aimed at Sephiroth's shoulder. But Sephiroth sidestepped effortlessly, twisting his wrist to bring Masamune around in a sweeping arc. The blade sliced deep into Helios's side, tearing through skin and muscle. Blood spattered across the floor, and a sharp, burning pain flared hot and violent. He gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out.

Sephiroth pressed his advantage, every swing of Masamune faster and more brutal than the last. Helios could barely keep up, blocking and dodging in a desperate attempt to survive. His breath came in ragged gasps, his skin slick with sweat and blood. A misstep left him exposed, and Sephiroth's blade slashed across his forearm, blood dripping onto the floor.

Helios's vision began to blur as fatigue clawed at him, every muscle screaming with pain. He blocked another strike, the impact sending jolts of agony up his arms, and retaliated with a desperate jab toward Sephiroth's ribs. But Sephiroth deflected it with ease, countering with a downward slice that grazed Helios's shoulder, carving another deep wound.

Blood dripped from Helios's body, staining the metal floor. He was faltering, his steps growing slower as Sephiroth's strikes came faster, the blade whistling through the air with each deadly arc. Helios's arms trembled under the weight of his weapon, his movements sluggish and desperate.

Sephiroth spun, bringing Masamune around in a wide arc that Helios barely ducked under, feeling the blade whistle past his head, inches from his scalp. Seizing the moment, Helios thrust Equilibrium forward, only for Sephiroth to sidestep and retaliate with a brutal backhand slash. The blade carved a thin line of blood across Helios's left eye, blinding him on one side.

Pain shot through his skull, warm blood trickling down his face, blurring his vision. Helios barely registered the injury before Sephiroth lunged again, forcing him to block a barrage of rapid strikes. Each impact sent fresh waves of agony through his arms, his bones rattling under the onslaught. He could feel himself weakening, every step more labored, his breath coming in short, pained gasps.

In a desperate move, Helios swung for Sephiroth's head, hoping to drive him back. But Sephiroth tilted his head, dodging by a hair's breadth, and retaliated with a savage kick to Helios's chest. The force sent him sprawling backward, his back slamming against the barrier, air driven from his lungs.

Sephiroth loomed over him, the deadly gleam of Masamune catching the faint light. "You wanted to be a master swordsman?" His voice was cold, mocking. "Mastery is earned in blood. Are you willing to pay the price?"

Helios forced himself to his feet, though every inch of his body screamed in agony. Blood dripped from his countless wounds, pooling on the metal floor beneath him. His vision was darkening, but he refused to fall. "I… I'll pay… whatever it takes," he rasped, gripping Equilibrium tighter. "I won't… stop."

Sephiroth's lips twisted into a faint, cruel smile, and he raised Masamune once more. This time, the strike came faster than before, slicing down in a deadly arc. Helios barely managed to block it, but the force sent him stumbling, his feet sliding against the floor, his arms shaking with the strain.

Sephiroth advanced, relentless and merciless. His strikes blurred together in a brutal rhythm, each swing of Masamune grazing Helios, carving shallow cuts into his arms, his legs, his torso. His body was a tapestry of wounds, blood slicking his skin, pain flaring with every breath. His strength was nearly gone, yet he forced himself to move, to block, to survive.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sephiroth stepped back, a look of faint amusement flickering across his face as he lowered Masamune. Helios stood trembling, blood dripping from him in rivulets, his breathing shallow and strained.

"You're still standing," Sephiroth remarked, almost… approving. "Perhaps there is some promise in you after all."

Helios managed a faint smile, though his vision swam with exhaustion. "I… told you… I wouldn't stop," he gasped, his voice barely a whisper. His grip on Equilibrium tightened, bloody and battered, but unbroken.