As Helios and Kurai continued their trek through the endless darkness, Helios couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that his ruse had worked. Inside, his thoughts raced. "Thank God this shadow bought it," Helios mused silently, trying to keep his expression neutral. "I remember that they were easy to manipulate, but I half expected to fail in convincing it."
Since awakening more of his memories, Helios had been piecing together his plan carefully. When Kurai had searched through his mind, it had unlocked only about forty percent of his memories—just enough for Helios to remember parts of his life and the fragmented story of Kingdom Hearts. But now, with more clarity, he understood the full story, or at least enough of it to navigate his path with caution.
Walking beside Kurai, Helios felt a sense of urgency as the stakes of his situation grew more apparent. He knew now that this shadowy figure wasn't just a simple ally; Kurai and the other 12 True Darkness had their own agenda, and at some point, it would try to use him for its own ends. Helios would have to stay two steps ahead if he wanted to survive.
The memories of Kingdom Hearts III, Union X, and Re-Mind echoed in his mind like a tangled web of events. He now understood the complex power dynamics, the influence of figures like the enigmatic Master of Masters, and the intricate threads of fate that connected the worlds. Helios realized that Kurai would eventually run into one of these key players, and that would spell disaster for him as its ally for now if he didn't have a plan.
Avoiding those catastrophic encounters was now the heart of his strategy. He had to steer clear of Sora and his overwhelming plot armor. The thought alone made Helios wary of ever crossing paths with the Keyblade wielder. Too many people had underestimated Sora, only to be defeated in ways no one could predict or even understand logically. No, Helios needed to forge his own way, one that defied expectations.
His plan began to take shape as they walked. First, he needed to gather more information—both about his current location in the timeline and the state of the different worlds. Determining whether they were still in the time of Sora or further back in the age of fairy tales was crucial. Depending on the era, the landscape of allies and enemies would change drastically.
Helios also knew he would need a base of operations, somewhere hidden from the prying eyes of those who sought control over Kingdom Hearts. He couldn't just keep wandering aimlessly in the Realm of Darkness or Light—he needed a sanctuary, a place where they could regroup and plan their next steps. But he would need power—real power.
As they ventured deeper into the heart of darkness, the environment around them shifted. The terrain became more treacherous as land decayed faster, the air denser with the presence of Heartless. The Heartless grew stronger the further they traveled, but with each battle, Helios found his skills sharpening. He had sustained fewer injuries over time, a sign of his growing mastery over darkness.
In his battles, he had unlocked a new form—a dark form, much like Riku's and Sora's, that enhanced his physical strength, speed, and defensive abilities. Helios could feel the power coursing through him as he fought, pushing his limits. But he knew he would need more than raw strength to face the challenges ahead. A weapon. A Keyblade.
The innermost area of the Realm of Darkness was littered with the remnants of worlds long consumed by darkness, including fragments of Daybreak Town, from the age of fairy tales. On one of these floating landmasses, Helios was sure he could find a Keyblade of Darkness—a powerful relic that could aid him in his quest.
As they reached the floating landmasses, Helios could feel the presence of Heartless intensifying. They were being drawn to him like moths to a flame, attracted by the growing darkness within him. He knew he had to be cautious—one wrong step, and he could be overwhelmed.
Helios cloaked himself in shadows to hide his scent, moving stealthily across the floating platforms. He used his dark form to blend with the environment, evading the swarming Heartless as he made his way toward the area he believed held the Keyblade. His heart pounded with anticipation as he finally arrived at a floating island adorned with hundreds of glowing keys.
The sight was surreal—an ethereal field of forgotten Keyblades, remnants of the age of fairy tales. Helios scanned the area carefully, searching for the one that would answer his call. He could feel it—a faint connection drawing him toward a specific Keyblade among the countless others.
He reached out toward it, his hand hovering over the hilt. Just as his fingers brushed the cold metal, Kurai's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Dodge."
Helios didn't hesitate. Instinctively, he activated his dark form and leaped backward with all his strength. In an instant, a massive Heartless, resembling a monstrous lion, crashed down from above, its impact obliterating the platform where Helios had stood moments before. The force of its arrival sent debris flying, and Helios, along with several Keyblades, plummeted toward the abyss below.
As Helios fell, he caught a glimpse of the Heartless. Its body was a twisted amalgamation of dark purple and black, with dark magenta spikes jutting from its head, back, and tail. Its massive yellow eyes gleamed with malice, and its legs were wrapped in broken chains, as though it had recently escaped from captivity.
Helios shifted midair, desperately reaching for something to break his fall. He managed to grab onto a chunk of debris, using his dark form to slow his descent. The Heartless, however, wasn't far behind, diving after him with terrifying speed.
The stakes had just risen.
Helios narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. This was the moment he had trained for, the culmination of his journey in the Realm of Darkness. He had to defeat this creature and claim the Keyblade if he was to stand a chance. But the odds were against him, and the Heartless was unlike anything he had faced before.
As the battle in freefall began, Helios summoned all his strength, channeling the darkness within him. He knew this would be the fight that determined his future—whether he would rise as a powerful wielder of darkness or fall and become a Heartless like so many before him.
The roar of the Heartless echoed through the dark skies, but Helios was ready.