Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Helios sat in his dimly lit room, the glow from his monitor casting sharp angles across his face as he watched the exchange between Xehanort and Braig. Their plan was simpler than he imagined: Ansem the Wise would soon be banished to the Realm of Darkness under the guise of "abandonment." Helios's expression was calm. Every step Xehanort took seemed calculated, each one tightening the noose around Radiant Garden's future. He should learn from the man for later when he would enact his own plans.

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples with exasperation. If the recent chain of events had taught him anything, it was that he needed to prepare for contingencies. The course of this universe's future had already messed up and he had been forced to shift it back more times than he cared to count, and the knowledge of Xehanort's intentions only added another layer of urgency. Ansem's banishment was crucial—it had to happen to ensure the timeline proceeded as expected—but Helios couldn't leave it unchecked. He also needed to ensure that Ansem would eventually find his way to Twilight Town eventually then make his way to Castle Oblivion when the time came.

For that, he needed Kurai. The entity had been instrumental in embedding Helios's backdoor program into the castle's systems, but now he needed it's ability to interfere with dark corridors and direct them. Xehanort was meticulous, and if he began monitoring Cid's workshop, any unusual activity might implicate Helios. A natural excuse to visit the workshop would have been preferable, but Helios couldn't afford to wait much longer. Time was against him, as always.

Pushing his chair back with a groan, Helios stood and stretched, shaking off the mental fog that came with too much screen time. He grabbed his jacket and opened the door, only to stop abruptly as he nearly collided with Skuld, who stood with her fist raised, about to knock.

The collision sent them both stumbling, and Helios instinctively reached out to steady her, inadvertently pulling her down. He twisted mid-fall to cushion her landing, stopping just short of fully crashing into her. The moment hung awkwardly in the air before Helios scrambled to his feet, helping her up with a calm look.

"Skuld," he said, his voice steady despite the near-mishap. "What's wrong? You look like you've got something on your mind."

Skuld dusted herself off, her cheeks tinged with pink from embarrassment. "I… well, you told me to come to you if anything weird happened because of…" She hesitated, glancing away. "You know, because of the boy's heart."

Helios's analytical mind went on high alert, his posture stiffening ever so slightly. "Weird how?" he asked, his tone calm but direct. "What exactly are you experiencing?"

Skuld fidgeted with her hands, clearly struggling to put her thoughts into words. "It's not anything bad," she said quickly. "It's just… I've been seeing things. Like images. Flashes, really. I was fighting with my Keyblade, but the places and the enemies—I don't recognize any of it."

Helios frowned, his mind racing as he considered the possibilities. If Skuld's condition had worsened, he would need to act quickly, potentially removing Cloud's heart and taking the risk of housing it within his own. But her description didn't sound like deterioration. It sounded like…

"Memories," he murmured, his blue eyes narrowing in thought. He motioned for Skuld to follow him back into his room, gesturing for her to sit. "Tell me everything. When did this start? What exactly did you see?"

Skuld hesitated for a moment before sitting down, her gaze steady despite the uncertainty in her voice. "It started this morning," she said. "I was practicing with my light magic, and suddenly I saw… myself. At least, I think it was me. I was holding my Keyblade, but I was wearing different clothes, I think. And there were these dark shadowy monsters everywhere. I was fighting them, but it felt like… like I wasn't really there. Like I was watching someone else."

Helios leaned against the desk, his arms crossed as he processed her words. "Armor," he repeated, his voice thoughtful. "And you are sure you were fighting the heartless those shadowy monsters. Did you recognize the surroundings? Was it somewhere in Radiant Garden?"

Skuld shook her head. "No, it was somewhere else. The sky was dark, and there were keyblades everywhere. It felt… ancient."

Helios's mind churned with possibilities. The description did somewhat fit the events of the Keyblade War—memories from the Age of Fairytales. But there was another layer to consider: Cloud's heart. There were no heartless back then so it couldn't fully be her memories. Was Skuld's mind accessing her heart's memories, leading to her heart's memories mixing with Cloud's interpreting his experiences as her own? The distinction was critical.

"It's possible that your memories are beginning to awaken," he said carefully, his tone measured. "But it's equally possible that what you're seeing is tied to Cloud. Hearts are complex—when two hearts coexist within one body, their experiences can sometimes overlap. Your heart might be interpreting fragments of Cloud's memories, reshaping them to fit your perspective."

Skuld's brow furrowed, her confusion evident. "So… these might not be my memories?"

Helios nodded, his expression serious. "Yes and no. You certainly were around for the scene you described but those shadowy creature you saw were most likely a byproduct of housing Cloud's heart. His memories of fighting them with a weapon—not a Keyblade, but a sword—might be surfacing, and your heart is trying to make sense of them by framing them in a context you would understand."

Skuld frowned, her hands clutching her knees. "But what if they are my memories? What if this is a sign that I'm starting to remember who I was?"

Helios studied her carefully, his analytical gaze unwavering. "It's possible," he admitted. "But memory recovery is a gradual process, especially for someone in your situation. If these are your memories, they'll become clearer over time. For now, we need to monitor the situation closely. Any new images, sensations, or feelings appear—tell me immediately."

Skuld nodded, though her expression was still tinged with uncertainty. "Do you think… I'll ever really remember everything?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability.

Helios's expression softened slightly. "Memory is a delicate thing," he said. "It's not just about recalling events—it's about understanding who you were and how those experiences shaped you. Whether these memories are yours, Cloud's, or both, they're part of you now. What matters is how you respond to them and whether you plan to use them to move forward."

Skuld seemed to take comfort in his words, though the weight of her uncertainty still lingered. She stood, her resolve evident despite her lingering doubt. "Thank you, Helios," she said quietly. "I'll let you know if I see anything else."

Helios nodded, his gaze following her as she left the room. Once the door closed behind her, his expression darkened, and he let out a slow breath. If Skuld's memories were truly awakening, it could complicate matters—especially if they began to conflict with the fabricated narrative he'd built to maintain her trust. But if they were Cloud's memories, the situation could be even more dangerous. The longer this continued, the more strain it would place on her heart.

He shook his head, focusing his thoughts. For now, he needed to retrieve Kurai from Cid and ensure that Ansem's banishment proceeded as planned. Skuld's condition would have to wait—at least until he had the time and resources to address it properly. Grabbing his coat, Helios stepped into a dark corridor.