Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

The two keyblade gliders descended quietly over Radiant Garden, the once-pristine world now cloaked in an eerie veil. Shadows slithered beneath every tree root and brick, and the castle that once shone like starlight now loomed like a haunted relic. Aqua stood at the helm, silent. Skuld hovered at her shoulder, frowning.

"Radiant Garden… it's darker than I remember," Aqua murmured.

"Helios said it was Maleficent's doing," Skuld said. "He said that she claimed the world with Heartless that she could control."

They landed near the outskirts, choosing a lesser-used path behind Cid's old workshop. The moment their feet touched the cobblestones, Aqua raised her keyblade and cast a protective veil over them both.

The streets were deserted, the townspeople likely hiding—if any remained at all. Every few feet, shadows shimmered like pools of ink, only to retreat as if testing the air.

"We shouldn't be here long," Aqua whispered.

"No, I'd rather we leave quickly too. We find Merlin's place and see if Helios has been here," Skuld agreed.

They moved swiftly, through alleys and collapsed archways, until Merlin's familiar cottage came into view. It was surrounded by swirling glyphs of white and gold, a warding barrier. Aqua stepped closer, eyes narrowing at the spellwork.

"This enchantment is recent," she said. "Someone activated it or strengthened it not long ago."

"Then we just missed him," Skuld muttered.

A voice echoed behind them—smoky, silken, laced with malice.

"Quite so," said Maleficent.

Flames of green and black erupted around them, and from the inferno stepped the sorceress herself. She was tall and elegant, clad in flowing black and violet, her horns silhouetted by the burning light. Her staff pulsed faintly with emerald energy.

"My, my," she said, amused. "A past acquaintance… and a recent one. How poetic, the stars would lead you to me together."

Aqua immediately stepped in front of Skuld, keyblade summoned and raised.

"Maleficent. What are you doing here?"

The dark fairy smiled coldly. "Oh, child. This world belongs to me now. You are the trespassers."

She tilted her head, eyes falling on Skuld. "And Skuld… how pleasant to see you again. It hasn't been too long since we shared an abode."

Skuld didn't flinch. She placed a hand on Aqua's shoulder but kept her gaze locked on Maleficent.

"Hello, yes, it's been a while. Thank you for all the care you showed me before. I apologize for leaving without saying goodbye."

Maleficent laughed, low and musical. "You always had such delightful manners. Unlike that brooding swordsman—Sephiroth—and the unruly little spark you follow… what did he call himself? Helios, was it? My, it seems like he left you to fend for yourself. Is that why you're with the meddlesome girl Aqua."

At the sound of his name, both Aqua and Skuld tensed. Maleficent, ever watchful, saw it.

"Oh dear," she purred. "So, you are looking for him. So, he left you with no way to find him. What a curious reunion this has become."

"That's none of your business," Aqua said sharply. "Now stand aside."

Maleficent's smile widened.

"Does it have anything to do with the girl he travels with?" she asked.

That froze them both.

"What girl?" Skuld demanded.

Aqua turned, eyes narrowing.

Maleficent tapped her chin. "Hmm, perhaps I said too much. But then again, I suppose it is my business, seeing as he still owes me two favors. After all, we made a deal."

"You're lying. He's smart enough to know not to deal with a scheming witch like you," Aqua said, though her voice lacked certainty.

"My, such hurtful words. Am I really lying?" Maleficent said, stepping closer. Her green flames flared behind her like wings. "He came to me willingly. To beg for a favor. And I obliged. Darkness, it's funny how quickly it can spread and consume someone. After all, all power comes with cost."

She looked at Aqua then, her gaze sharp. "And I believe you're familiar with what happens when keyblade wielders embrace the darkness, no?"

Aqua flinched. Images of herself, lost in the Realm of Darkness, of Terra taken over by darkness flooded her mind. Her failure. Her fall. Maleficent's lips curled at the reaction.

"See? That pain you feel… that shame… it's a taste of what lies ahead for you once again."

Skuld growled, stepping forward. "Enough. What do you want?"

"Me?" Maleficent asked, feigning innocence. "Why, I only wanted to speak. See an old acquaintance. And perhaps… offer a warning."

"A warning?" Aqua asked warily.

Maleficent's smile faded just slightly, her tone dropping.

"There are forces moving now. Helios seems to have drawn the attention of a dangerous entity. Things seem to be getting quite out of hand. The girl he travels with… she is not as she seems."

"What do you mean?" Skuld asked, fists clenched.

Maleficent turned away, pacing toward the barrier surrounding Merlin's cottage. She traced a claw along the edge, watching sparks fly from the ward.

"He trusts her," she said softly. "But she is born of shadow, so dark that even I would fear what she is capable of. I wonder if she has something to do with that eye I saw inside Helios' darkness."

Aqua's heart pounded. "The eye…?"

Maleficent looked back at them, smile returning like a blade unsheathed.

"You may be too late, you see. The boy is already changing. He may already have fully become one with darkness when you next see him."

She turned fully now, cloak swirling around her.

"Still, it's not too late for you to make a different choice."

"What are you saying?" Skuld asked, voice hoarse.

Maleficent stepped between them, placing one hand gently on Aqua's shoulder. Aqua flinched but didn't move.

"I can offer a deal," she said. "An alliance. Things seem to be changing quite rapidly and forces beyond our comprehension seem to be moving in the background. I think the time for light and darkness to work together may be fast approaching."

Aqua stared, blue eyes burning.

"I'd rather fall again into darkness than accept anything from you."

Maleficent gave a slow, mocking nod.

"As expected. Such a predictable answer."

She pulled her hand away. "Then perhaps we'll wait and simply watch… as things unfold… the offer still stands."

Before either could react, the flames surged once more, and Maleficent vanished in a twisting cyclone of green fire.

The world fell silent.

Aqua remained tense, her keyblade still drawn, breathing hard. Skuld slowly reached out and touched her arm.

"She knows something. About whoever that girl is."

Aqua nodded. "And she's trying to turn us against Helios. She's trying to make us afraid, but she also seems afraid."

Aqua looked at Merlin's warded cottage. "We need to find Helios before it's too late. Maleficent may be lying… or worse, telling the truth."

"Then we move fast," Skuld said.

They stepped forward, the barrier parting briefly to allow them entry. Inside, the light flickered gently as the shadows lingered behind the magic.