Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Skuld hesitated, looking up at him with wide, trusting eyes. "But what are we going to do now? How can I help protect Lea and Isa?"

Helios leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he calculated his next move. "The first thing we're going to do," he said with deliberate calm, "is make sure they're safe from being tied to us. They can't be linked to anything that's happened today."

He stood and turned toward the frozen figures of Isa, Lea, and Yuffie, who were still locked in mid-motion by the Stop spell. Summoning a faint shimmer of magic to his hand, he looked back at Skuld. "I'm going to use a spell called the Hex of Forgetfulness on them. It will erase all memories of what happened today. To them, it will be as though they never met you or learned about any of this."

Skuld's eyes widened, and she clutched the arms of her chair. "But… but they're my friends! Won't they forget me completely?"

Helios shook his head gently. "No," he assured her. "The spell is specific. It will only erase their memory of today's events—this meeting, what they learned, and anything that could lead the researchers back to you. It's the only way to protect them."

Skuld's gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers fidgeting as she wrestled with the idea. "If it keeps them safe," she said finally, her voice soft but trembling, "then I understand. Do it."

Helios nodded, raising his hand and casting the spell. The shimmering light enveloped Isa, Lea, and Yuffie, swirling around them like a soft haze before dissipating into the air. When the magic faded, the three remained still, their memories of the day wiped clean.

"It's done," Helios said, lowering his hand. He turned to Skuld and extended a hand toward her. "Let's go home."

Skuld hesitated for a moment, her heart heavy with the realization that her presence endangered the people she cared about. But she reached out, placing her hand in Helios's, and together they stepped into the swirling darkness of the corridor he had opened.

When they reappeared in Helios's room, the familiar surroundings brought little comfort to Skuld. She sank into a chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as her emotions swirled within her. Helios watched her for a moment before pulling up a chair across from her and sitting down.

"It's time we talk," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You deserve to know the truth."

Skuld looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Why didn't you tell me before?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Why did you keep all of this from me?"

Helios sighed, leaning forward slightly. "Because I didn't want to burden you," he said, his voice carrying a calculated mix of sincerity and regret. "I thought I could handle everything myself, that I could keep you safe without dragging you into the details. But I see now that you deserve to know what's going on."

Skuld sniffled, her gaze pleading. "Please, Helios," she said, her voice breaking. "Tell me everything. I need to know."

Helios nodded slowly, his expression growing serious as he began. "A long time ago, there was an event called the Keyblade War. It was a catastrophic conflict that destroyed countless worlds and claimed countless lives of Keyblade wielders much like you and myself. It happened because people fought over Kingdom Hearts—the source of all heart and a mass of power."

Skuld listened intently, her hands gripping the edge of her chair. "Why would anyone do that?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness. "Why would they destroy everything for Kingdom Hearts?"

"Because of its power," Helios said simply, his gaze darkening. "Kingdom Hearts is the origin of all things. Some believe it is pure light, the ultimate good. Others, like Master Xehanort, believe it is darkness, the ultimate truth."

Skuld blinked, her confusion evident. "Master Xehanort?" she repeated, her tone laced with apprehension. "Who is he?"

Helios leaned back, his expression hardening. "He's a Keyblade Master, one of the most dangerous beings alive. He's trying to recreate the Keyblade War in the present."

"Why?" Skuld asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Does he want to destroy the world?"

Helios shook his head, his voice grim. "No. He wants Kingdom Hearts. He believes that by starting the war again, he can summon Kingdom Hearts and use its power to reshape the universe. He thinks he's saving the worlds from themselves, but in truth, all he'll do is plunge everything into chaos."

Skuld frowned, confusion clouding her face. "But which is it? Is it light or darkness?"

Before Skuld could ask another question, Helios continued, his tone more reflective. "Both and neither. Kingdom Hearts is more than just light or darkness. Let me explain. Think of it like this: it's everything and nothing, the birthplace of all hearts and the origin of light and darkness. Let me tell you a story—a fairy tale from another world. It might help you understand."

Skuld tilted her head, curiosity flickering through her sadness. "A fairy tale?"

Helios nodded, his tone growing softer as he began. "Once, in an empty void, there existed a being named Chaos. Chaos was alone, surrounded by nothingness, and for eons, it remained that way. But eventually, Chaos grew weary of solitude and decided to create something."

He paused, watching as Skuld leaned forward, captivated. "Chaos succeeded, creating two beings much like itself. But these beings were also vastly different from its nature. One shone brighter than Chaos, radiating warmth and brilliance. Chaos named it Light. The other was darker than Chaos, deep and mysterious. Chaos named it Darkness."

Skuld's eyes glimmered with fascination as she asked, "So… was Chaos both Light and Darkness?"

Helios shook his head. "No. Chaos was neither. It was something else entirely. Light and Darkness were born from it, but Chaos remained something beyond them—something incomprehensible, yet containing both within itself."

He leaned forward, his voice steady and compelling. "That's what Kingdom Hearts is, Skuld. It's not just Light or Darkness. It's the birthplace of all hearts, the origin of both Light and Darkness, and something far greater and more powerful than either."

Skuld's lips parted slightly as she tried to grasp the concept. "So… it's everything?" she asked hesitantly.

Helios nodded. "In a way, yes. It's everything and nothing at the same time. It's the source of life, of creation, and of destruction. And that's why people like Master Xehanort seek it—they believe they can control it, bend it to their will."

Skuld's expression darkened, her small fists clenching. "But that's wrong," she said fiercely. "Kingdom Hearts shouldn't belong to anyone. It's… it's too important."

Helios smiled faintly, his eyes unreadable as he reached out to rest a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Many people have agreed with that sentiment. There were three keyblade wielders who tried to stop him. Sadly they ultimately failed and now he's here working on another way to gain access to Kingdom Hearts yet again."

Skuld looked up at him. "You said many people share that sentiment. What about you?" she asked firmly. "Do you think it should belong to somebody or do you agree with me?"

Helios smiled faintly and reached out to pat Skuld gently on the head, his touch light and reassuring. "I only half agree with you, Skuld," he said, his tone thoughtful. "I don't think Kingdom Hearts should belong to just one person. It's too powerful, too important for that. But at the same time, it might need to be used someday—for the sake of everyone."

Skuld tilted her head, her wide eyes fixed on him as she tried to grasp the weight of his words. "Used? What do you mean?"

Helios's smile didn't waver, though his gaze grew distant. "Kingdom Hearts is the origin of all things—light, darkness, and everything in between. Whoever uses it would need to understand that it's not just one or the other. If they believe too much in light, they might blind themselves to the truth. If they believe too much in darkness, they might lose their way completely. It needs someone who can see both sides and make choices that are bigger than themselves."