Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Helios slipped into the shadows of a quiet alley, casting a quick glance around to ensure he wasn't being watched. With a practiced motion, he summoned a dark corridor, the swirling void wrapping around him like a cloak as he stepped through and reappeared in his room. The soft hum of the computer greeted him, and he wasted no time settling into his chair to check the security camera footage.

The familiar scenes of the castle filled the screen, the grainy images of corridors, labs, and containment rooms flashing before his eyes. His focus narrowed on the secret lab, where Xehanort and the other apprentices worked diligently. The number of Heartless was growing at an alarming rate. The containment cells were nearly filled to capacity, their once-pristine barriers now flickering under the strain of holding back the creatures.

Helios frowned, his fingers drumming against the edge of the desk. The Heartless came in a variety of types, their forms increasingly sophisticated and dangerous. Soldiers, Shadows, Air Soldiers, and now even Defenders and Wyverns filled the cells. Why do they keep making more? he thought, his confusion deepening. It was clear to anyone paying attention that their control over the Heartless was tenuous at best. Eventually, the balance would tip, and containment would fail.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Helios turned, his gaze sharp and wary as the door creaked open. Skuld stepped inside, her small frame framed by the dim light of the hallway. She hesitated for a moment before entering fully, her expression a mixture of nervousness and determination.

"Helios," she began, her voice quiet but steady. "I finished the last lesson on magic you gave me."

Helios raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He swiveled his chair to face her fully. "Did you?" he asked, his tone calm but curious.

Skuld nodded, stepping closer. "I think I've got control over my output now. Watch."

She raised her hands, and a series of light orbs began to appear, floating gently above her palms. The first was faint, barely illuminating the room. Then, with practiced precision, she created another, slightly brighter. The sequence continued, each orb growing progressively brighter until the final one shone with an intensity that lit up the entire room like a small sun.

Helios blinked, impressed despite himself. He had needed months in the realm of darkness to achieve the level of control she was demonstrating now. Well unlike him she was just relearning something she forgot. Folding his arms, he leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You've surpassed my expectations, Skuld," he said honestly. "That's excellent progress."

Skuld beamed at the praise, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "Thank you," she said. "I've been practicing whenever I had a chance like you told me. It helps calm my mind too so that helps."

Helios rose from his chair, walking over to one of the shelves where an old spell book rested. He picked it up, flipping through the pages briefly before handing it to her. "If that's the case," he said, "then it's time for the next step. This book covers some basic elemental spells: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Aero, and Cure."

As she took the book, Helios reached out and lightly touched her hand, a faint glow surrounding their clasped hands. Skuld gasped softly as she felt a surge of warmth and knowledge flow through her—a transfer of magical essence.

"I've just passed the essence of those spells to you," Helios explained. "You should be able to summon them now. For now, though, focus on Aero and Cure. You're inside the house, and there's nowhere safe to practice dangerous spells like Fire, Blizzard, or Thunder."

Skuld nodded eagerly, clutching the book to her chest. "I'll do my best!" she said, her voice filled with determination.

Before she could leave, her gaze fell on the computer screen behind Helios. Her expression shifted, curiosity drawing her closer. "What's that?" she asked, stepping around him to get a better look.

Helios tensed, hesitating for a fraction of a second before turning back to the monitor. "Just something I've been keeping an eye on," he said carefully. "It's part of the researchers' work."

Skuld leaned closer, her eyes widening as she took in the scene on the screen. The Heartless were unmistakable—those shadowed, monstrous forms with glowing yellow eyes. She stiffened, the spell book slipping from her hands and thudding softly to the floor.

"Those monsters…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why do they have yellow eyes? They're just like the ones I saw in my memory…"

Helios sighed, bending down to pick up the fallen book. He placed it gently on the desk before turning back to her. "They're called Heartless," he explained, his voice steady but tinged with a rare note of empathy. "And yes, they're the same as the ones you remember."

Skuld took a shaky step back, her hands gripping the edges of her cloak. "Why… Why are they making them?" she asked, her voice breaking. "Why would anyone create something so horrible?"

Helios straightened, his expression calm. "Because they're trying to understand the nature of the heart," he said. "But their experiments are flawed. They're taking the hearts of people—living, breathing people—and turning them into these creatures."

Skuld's knees buckled, and she sank into the nearest chair, her face pale. "Then… then that's what happened to the people they took?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's why you said they're dead?"

Helios nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Yes," he said simply. "Their hearts were consumed by darkness, and their bodies were destroyed in the process. What's left are these monsters—Heartless, driven only by their hunger for more hearts."

Tears welled up in Skuld's eyes, spilling down her cheeks as the weight of his words settled over her. "That's… that's horrible," she said, her voice trembling. "How could anyone do that? How could they just… take people's hearts like that?"

Helios didn't answer immediately. Instead, he knelt in front of her, his gaze meeting hers. "It's because they're using the hearts of others," he said quietly. "They've become so focused on their goals that they've forgotten the cost. Some people don't care about the cost they have to pay so long as they're not paying it. And that's why I told you the people they took are gone. There's no way to bring them back."

Skuld covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed quietly. Helios placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch light but steady. "That's why you need to be strong both your heart and physically," he said gently. "Not just for yourself, but for the people who can still be saved. You have the power to protect others from this fate."

She sniffled, lowering her hands to look at him. Her eyes were red, but there was a spark of determination in them. "I'll try," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "I'll do whatever it takes to stop this from happening to anyone else."

Helios gave her a faint smile, his hand squeezing her shoulder briefly before he stood. "That's all I ask," he said. "For now, focus on your magic training. The stronger you become, the better off you'll be. When you master these spells I'll teach you how to use your keyblade."

Skuld nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She picked up the spell book again, clutching it tightly. "Thank you, Helios," she said softly. "I won't let you down."

Helios watched as she left the room, his expression turning cold once she was gone. He turned back to the monitor, his eyes narrowing as he observed the Heartless-filled lab once more. Their numbers were growing faster than he expected, but that worked better for him in this case.

Helios strode through the living room and knocked on Maleficent's door. Maleficent had made it clear she wanted results, and this was the perfect opportunity to show her exactly what was brewing within the castle. He opened the door after she responded and found her seated near the window, the dim light casting sharp shadows across her features.

"Maleficent," he called, his voice steady but laced with intent. "When last we spoke you said you wanted to see progress. I have something to show you."

Her piercing eyes shifted to him, curiosity flickering in their depths. She rose gracefully, her staff clutched in one hand. "Lead the way," she said smoothly, her tone carrying a note of intrigue.

Helios led her to his makeshift computer room, the hum of the monitor greeting them as the screen flickered to life. With a few keystrokes, he brought up the live feed of the secret lab. Heartless filled the cells, their glowing yellow eyes and dark forms a stark contrast against the sterile environment. More Heartless were being produced each second, their numbers growing at an alarming rate.

Maleficent's lips curled into a wicked smile as her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She let out a low, dark laugh, her voice reverberating with delight. "Magnificent," she purred. "An army worthy of my command. Soon, the worlds will bow to my darkness."

Helios stood silently, watching her revel in the sight. Her reaction was exactly as he'd expected, and it served his plans well. For now, he would let her bask in her victory. That was one issue dealt with now onto the next.