Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Helios lay on the dark beach, struggling to piece together what was real. A faint whisper began to echo in his mind, a voice he hadn't heard in years—one he thought was lost forever.

"Helios... my dear," the voice called softly. "You must remember who you are."

He gritted his teeth and shook his head, trying to push the voice away. "No... this can't be happening," he muttered, his pulse quickening. "I can't be someone else. I can't be... something else."

But the voice persisted, growing stronger, tugging at memories he couldn't ignore. They surged up from deep within him—flashes of a life he had long forgotten. A world he had left behind.

"Remember, Helios," the voice urged, insistent. "Remember who you truly are. Remember me."

A storm of confusion and anger swirled inside him, his fists clenching as the emotions took hold. He had always felt out of place, like he didn't belong anywhere. But he never imagined it was because he was from another world entirely. The idea alone made his heart pound with denial.

"Who am I?" Helios cried out, his voice hoarse as it echoed across the desolate beach. His only answer was the sound of crashing waves, a lonely rhythm that seemed to mock his desperation.

He staggered to his feet, his head still clouded with the fragments of memories returning. Everything was a blur, but then, one thought broke through the fog: The Dark Meridian. This was the Realm of Darkness. Memories flashed brighter now—familiar faces, old battles, and a sinister presence he couldn't shake.

"That bastard Xehanort…" he muttered, feeling the bile rise in his throat. "He tried to make me a vessel for his heart. I'm in the Realm of Darkness, and Nightfall—my city—it's probably been swallowed by the Heartless. My parents... they sacrificed everything to protect me."

His voice faltered, the weight of it all pressing down on him. Before he could fully process it, a voice cut through the air behind him—calm, dark, and familiar.

"Good, it seems you're finally starting to remember," the figure of darkness said, appearing as if the shadows themselves had shaped it. "With your memories awakening, I can feel the dark emotions blooming within you."

Helios turned sharply, his blue eyes locking onto the figure's glowing gaze. He bristled with anger. "So, that's your game, huh? You hoped that by bringing back my memories, you'd confuse me—make me fall into despair, so you could possess me."

The figure chuckled, a low and menacing sound that echoed in the stillness. "Possess you? No, Helios, that was never my intention. You're far too valuable to be a mere puppet. I'm offering you something far greater: the truth. A deal, if you will."

Helios clenched his fists at his sides. His instincts screamed that this figure was not to be trusted, but he couldn't ignore the question gnawing at him. "What truth?" he spat. "What kind of deal?"

The figure stepped closer, shadows swirling around its form like a dark mist. "The truth that you, Helios, are more than a mere pawn. You are the key to unlocking the true power of Kingdom Hearts. The one who could reshape the very universe itself."

Helios's heart skipped a beat. "What are you talking about?"

"You have within you the potential to create something new—a universe where we can break free from the constraints of this world. You see, this world... it's not real," the figure said, its voice laced with amusement. "It's nothing more than a game, a design created to entertain others. And it's rigged for the light to always win. But together, you and I can rewrite the script."

Helios stared at the figure, the implications of its words washing over him. "Remake the world?" His voice was low, filled with suspicion. "So you can destroy it later, right? That doesn't sound like much of a deal."

The figure's smirk widened. "How predictable. You cling to the idea that light is good and darkness is evil. But what if I told you the real problem is choice? In this world, everything is predetermined. Wouldn't you prefer a world where people have true freedom to choose their fate—where they are not bound by some unseen creator's will?"

Helios felt the words crawl under his skin, unsettling him. "Freedom to do what? Destroy everything? No thanks. I'm not going to help you."

The figure tilted its head, the miasma swirling thicker around it. "Oh, Helios. You misunderstand. I don't want to destroy anything. What I want is balance—freedom from the endless war between light and darkness. And you... you've seen that already, haven't you? You know deep down that neither side is inherently good or evil. They are forces that exist, both necessary, both in conflict. And together, we can bring that balance."

Helios hesitated, the weight of the figure's words pressing down on him. He didn't trust the creature, but there was a strange sense of truth in what it said. His mind raced, the memories of his past life flickering like flames in his thoughts.

"I'm not interested in deals with darkness," Helios said coldly. "I know you're trying to manipulate me."

The figure's smile never faltered. "Perhaps. But I can see in your heart that you've already begun to question the narrative you've been fed. Why should light always prevail? What makes darkness inherently wrong? I offer you a chance to explore those questions for yourself. Let me travel with you. Trust, after all, can be earned in time."

Helios frowned, his mind whirling. He couldn't deny that there was a part of him that understood what the figure was saying. He had never believed the universe to be black and white. And yet, trusting the darkness—walking down that path—felt dangerous. Too dangerous.

"Fine," he said finally, his voice low. "I'll hear you out. But don't expect me to agree to anything until I know exactly what you're planning."

The figure's dark laughter filled the air. "Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Helios. Now, shall we begin?"

Helios squared his shoulders, feeling the tension coil in his chest. "If you want to prove your intentions, show me how to leave the Realm of Darkness."

The figure's glowing eyes narrowed. "Ah, leaving... It's not as simple as opening a door, Helios. It requires power. Power you do not yet possess."

"What?" Helios snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You said you had the power to help me leave."

"I do," the figure said calmly, the shadows thickening. "But I cannot create the doorway on my own. I need you, Helios. Together, we can open it."

Helios narrowed his eyes. "And what do I get in return for helping you? What's your angle?"

The figure's smile grew wider, darker. "I simply need you, Helios. With your help, we can leave this place. And once we're free, imagine the power you will wield. The ability to travel between worlds—anytime, anywhere. You'll never be trapped again."

"And if I refuse?" Helios asked, his voice steady.

"Then you will remain here, lost in the void, forever wondering what could have been," the figure replied, its tone unnervingly casual. "But if you accept, perhaps... just perhaps... you could even bring your fake parents back."

Helios froze. The mention of his parents sent a shockwave of emotion through him, making his heart clench painfully. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The figure's gaze flickered with amusement. "With the power we can wield together, even death can be undone. You could see them again, Helios. All you have to do is surrender yourself to the shadows."

Helios felt his pulse quicken. His mind screamed at him to reject the offer, but the thought of his parents—of seeing them again—pulled at him with agonizing force.

He swallowed hard, fighting the temptation that clawed at him. "And what do I have to do?"

The figure's voice dripped with satisfaction. "Simply let the darkness in. Embrace it, Helios, and together, we will create something new."

Helios's mind raced as he weighed his options. He needed to leave this place, but he couldn't give in to the darkness. Not yet.

"I'll think about it," Helios said finally, his voice laced with caution.

The figure chuckled, shadows curling tighter around it. "That's all I ask. Take your time, dear Helios. I'll be waiting."