Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Helios gritted his teeth as the jaguar—Maleficent in her transformed state—circled him with a predatory grace. She was toying with him, her movements fluid and deliberate, her golden eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. Her magic was palpable, weaving through the air and reinforcing her already formidable form. Every time he landed a strike, her shimmering barrier absorbed the blow, leaving him no closer to gaining the upper hand.

"Fine," Helios muttered, his voice low and steady. "If that's how you want to play it, I'll play along."

The jaguar lunged, its claws extended as it aimed for his throat. Helios managed to twist away just in time, feeling the rush of air as the sharp claws barely missed him. He countered with a quick swing of his Keyblade, aiming for her exposed flank, but the blade clanged harmlessly against the magical barrier shimmering around her.

Maleficent let out a guttural snarl, her body a blur as she darted to his side, swiping with her claws. Helios raised his Keyblade to block, the impact jarring his arms as sparks flew from the clash. She pressed forward, her movements relentless, and Helios found himself on the defensive once more, backing away as she drove him toward the edge of the cavern.

With a powerful leap, the jaguar pinned Helios to the ground, its massive paws pressing against his chest, its hot breath against his neck. His Keyblade clattered to the floor, just out of reach, and he could feel the sharp points of her claws digging into his skin. Her teeth hovered dangerously close to his throat, and for a brief moment, Helios thought this might be the end.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, Helios focused his energy and called his Keyblade back to his hand. The weapon materialized just in time, its radiant form forcing the jaguar to leap back with a snarl. Helios rolled to his feet, touching his neck where her teeth had almost sunk in. His hand came away clean, but the close call only fueled him on.

"She's too fast," Helios muttered to himself, his mind racing. "And that barrier… she's not leaving any openings."

Maleficent's jaguar form prowled a few paces away, her tail swishing lazily as she eyed him with predatory confidence. It was clear she was playing with him, wearing him down until he was too exhausted to fight back. If he didn't come up with something soon, she might finish him off for real.

As he dodged another pounce, an idea began to take shape in his mind. He had been experiencing everything this jaguar form could do—the speed, the instincts, the sheer power. He had also understood the fundamentals of transformation magic, thanks to her earlier explanations. If he could successfully perform the spell himself and take on a similar form, he might stand a chance.

Helios raised his hand and unleashed a powerful fire spell, creating a ring of flames around himself. The intense heat forced Maleficent to pause, her jaguar form pacing just outside the fiery barrier. With precious seconds to breathe, Helios closed his eyes and focused.

He visualized the jaguar—the power in its muscles, the fluidity of its movements, the sharpness of its senses. He allowed the image to fill his mind completely, his magic resonating with the essence of the creature. Then, he cast the transformation spell.

A sharp, searing pain shot through his body as the magic began to take hold. Helios gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure as his form shifted and changed. His muscles rippled and expanded, his senses sharpening to an almost overwhelming degree. His hands morphed into powerful paws, his vision narrowed to a predator's clarity, and his body became sleek and agile.

When the transformation was complete, Helios stood as a majestic jaguar, his fur shimmering with a unique pattern of white and black that seemed to absorb the faint glow of the cavern's crystals. Threads of deep blue pulsed along his sleek form, adding an otherworldly quality to his appearance. His piercing, predatory blue eyes locked onto Maleficent's jaguar form as the flames around him died down.

Maleficent snarled and lunged immediately, her claws flashing as she aimed for his flank. Helios shifted smoothly to the side, his movements instinctive and precise, and retaliated with a swipe of his own claws. His strike found its mark, slashing through the fur on her shoulder and drawing a faint line of green mist.

The two jaguars clashed again, their powerful forms colliding with a resounding impact. Helios moved with newfound confidence, his instincts heightened by the transformation. He darted under Maleficent's next swipe and lunged upward, aiming for her throat. She twisted away at the last second, but his claws grazed her barrier, causing it to flicker slightly.

The fight became a blur of motion as they exchanged blow after blow. Maleficent's speed and cunning were formidable, but Helios's adaptability gave him an edge. He used the terrain to his advantage, leaping onto the crystal formations and launching himself at her from above. His jaws snapped dangerously close to her neck, forcing her to backpedal.

With a feral growl, Maleficent retaliated, feinting left before striking from the right. Her claws raked across his side, drawing blood and eliciting a sharp snarl of pain from Helios. He spun and countered with a powerful swipe that struck her barrier head-on, the force of the impact causing it to shimmer and crack.

Helios didn't relent. He pressed forward, his movements relentless as he forced her to retreat. When she lunged again, he anticipated her move, shifting his weight and dodging with fluid precision. In a flash, he sprang forward, his jaws closing around her neck.

For a moment, Helios thought he had won. His teeth sank into her fur, the faint taste of magic tingling on his tongue. But before he could finish the fight, Maleficent's form dissolved into a swirling mass of black and green mist. The mist coiled and reformed into her human shape, her dark robes billowing around her as she hovered just out of his reach.

"Well done," Maleficent said, her voice smooth and calm despite the ferocity of their battle. "You've proven yourself capable of mastering the transformation spell. I suppose I should commend you."

Helios growled, the sound low and guttural, and lunged toward her, his jaguar form bristling with defiance. But Maleficent raised a hand, and a shimmering barrier stopped him mid-attack, forcing him to skid to a halt.

"Now, now," she said with a mocking smile. "The lesson isn't over yet."

Helios growled again, pacing in frustration as he circled her, his predatory instincts demanding action. Maleficent laughed softly, the sound echoing through the cavern.

"The next part of the lesson," she said, her golden eyes gleaming, "is learning how to return to your original form. After all, it wouldn't do for you to remain a beast forever, would it? I am quite curious if you can overpower the animal mind or if it will take over you. Which will it be I wonder?"

Helios bared his teeth, his frustration mounting as she continued to taunt him.

"I'll leave you to figure it out," Maleficent said, her tone dripping with amusement. "Consider it a test of your understanding." She turned, her robes sweeping dramatically as she began to walk away. "Good luck, Helios. I'm sure you'll manage… eventually."

With a wave of her hand, she vanished into the shadows, leaving Helios alone in the cavern.