Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Helios headed to his room, gathering Aqua's armor and Keyblade. Carefully, he wrapped the items in a bedsheet, tying it securely to ensure they wouldn't be damaged during their journey. Returning to the living room, he held out the bundle toward Sephiroth.

"Here," Helios said, his voice steady. "Can you carry this?"

Sephiroth didn't respond. He simply stood there, his cold, impassive gaze fixed on Helios. The room filled with an uncomfortable silence as they locked eyes, neither willing to break first.

Skuld shifted nervously, glancing between the two. Finally, she stepped forward, her voice tentative but determined. "I'll carry it," she said, taking the bundle from Helios's hands.

Helios sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Fine. Just be careful with it."

While Skuld adjusted the weight of the bundle, Helios returned and grabbed a bag, placing the hard drive inside. He turned his attention to Cloud, still comatose on the bed. With care, he hoisted Cloud onto his back, piggyback style, the unconscious warrior's weight pressing against him.

Balancing Cloud and the hard drive bag was no easy task. Helios stumbled slightly as he moved toward the living room. "You could at least pretend to try to help," he grumbled.

Sephiroth made no move to assist, his disinterest evident, so Helios gritted his teeth and used his free hand to open a dark corridor. The swirling black gateway shimmered into existence, and the trio stepped through.

The group emerged onto a wide plateau overlooking a vast city. The skyline stretched out before them, with golden sunlight illuminating the white stone structures of Thebes. From their vantage point, they could see the bustling streets below, dotted with vendors, pedestrians, and towering statues of gods. The scent of blooming flowers and the faint hum of city life carried on the breeze.

Skuld's eyes widened in awe. "Where are we?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Helios adjusted Cloud's weight on his back before answering. "This world is called Olympus. The city down there is Thebes."

Skuld stared at the city, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten as she took in the sight. Even Sephiroth's impassive demeanor seemed to falter for a moment, his gaze lingering on the distant city.

Helios set Cloud and the hard drive bag down carefully before stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. "First things first," he said. "We need to find a place to stay."

Skuld looked back at him, concern flickering across her face. "Shouldn't we all go together?"

Helios shook his head. "No. You two stay here with Cloud. I'll look around and find somewhere safe. It'll be faster if I go alone."

Sephiroth didn't protest, remaining silent as he stood off to the side, his piercing eyes scanning the horizon. Skuld hesitated but eventually nodded, setting Aqua's bundle down beside Cloud. "Be careful," she said quietly.

Helios offered her a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I will."

Helios made his way down the rocky slope leading to the city, his movements quick and purposeful. The closer he got to Thebes, the more vibrant and alive it seemed. Merchants called out to passersby, hawking their wares with enthusiasm. Children played in the streets, their laughter echoing through the alleys. It was a stark contrast to the chaos and despair he had left behind in Radiant Garden.

As he entered the city proper, he kept his hood up, used a hex to lower his presence, and blended into the crowd as best he could. He didn't want to draw unnecessary attention, especially from Hades or any of the Greek Gods.

Helios scanned his surroundings, looking for any signs of an inn or a quiet place where they could stay unnoticed. He spotted a small group of guards patrolling nearby, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. Their presence was a reminder that this city wasn't without its own troubles. 'No drawing attention to ourselves,' he thought.

After wandering for a while, Helios came across a modest inn tucked away in a quieter part of the city. The building was made of pale stone, its entrance marked by a simple wooden sign that read "The Restful Hydra." The inn looked clean and well-maintained, and its location away from the main thoroughfares made it ideal.

Helios entered the inn, the air inside cool and filled with the faint scent of lavender. A middle-aged woman stood behind the counter, her friendly demeanor putting him at ease.

"Welcome!" she said warmly. "Looking for a room?"

Helios nodded. "Something quiet and out of the way. How many rooms do you have available?"

The woman tilted her head, thinking. "We've got two left, both on the upper floor. They're small, but they're cozy."

"That'll do," Helios said. He reached into his bag and produced his card, handing it over. After the card left his hand he wondered if they actually took such payment here. But to his surprise, the woman took the payment, handed back his card, and with a smile handed him two keys.

"Top of the stairs, last two doors on the right," she instructed. "If you need anything, just let me know."

Helios thanked her and left the inn, retracing his steps back to the overlook where he had left Skuld and Sephiroth.

When Helios returned, he found Skuld sitting cross-legged on the ground beside Cloud, her expression thoughtful. Sephiroth stood a short distance away, his gaze fixed on the horizon as though lost in his own thoughts.

"I found a place," Helios announced, setting the keys down on the ground beside Skuld. "Two rooms. It's quiet and out of the way."

Skuld looked up at him, relief evident in her eyes. "Thank you."

Helios hoisted Cloud onto his back again, wincing slightly at the strain. "Let's move. I don't want to stay out here longer than we have to."

Skuld picked up Aqua's bundle while Sephiroth followed silently, his movements fluid and deliberate. Together, they made their way down the rocky slope and into Thebes, moving carefully to avoid drawing attention.

The group reached the inn without incident. Helios led them upstairs to their rooms, unlocking the doors and stepping inside. The rooms were small but comfortable, each with a single bed, a wooden desk, and a small window overlooking the quiet street below.

Helios placed Cloud on one of the beds, adjusting him so he was lying comfortably. Skuld set Aqua's bundle on the desk, her movements gentle and deliberate.

Sephiroth leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he surveyed the room. "And what's the plan now?" he asked, his tone as cold and detached as ever.

Helios glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. "We rest for now. Once we're settled, I'll tell you guys our next move."

Skuld hesitated before speaking. "Helios… do you think this place is safe?"

Helios nodded. "For now, yes. But we won't stay here long. We'll need to stay ahead of any trouble."

Skuld didn't look entirely reassured, but she nodded. "Alright."

As the others settled in, Helios moved to the window, gazing out at the city below. The golden sunlight bathed Thebes in a warm glow. For a moment, he allowed himself to relax.

"Rest up," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else. "The real work starts tomorrow."