Helios reappeared in the city. He looked around and was happy to see that the Heartless were everywhere, their glowing eyes piercing the gloom. He smiled seems his conjecture about Radiant Garden, Destiny Islands, and Twilight Town being on the same time axis was correct. This would be valuable information.
Closing his eyes and using his light he felt a light not as big as Kairi's but still larger than his own. He was sure this belonged to Skuld meaning for now she was still safe. "Hang on a little while longer, Skuld," he muttered under his breath. "I'll find you. I just need you to stay safe."
Helios moved through the darkened streets, the oppressive weight of the Heartless's presence reminding him of Nightfall. Every so often he would come across a scene that brought back certain memories he wished to forget. Like what he saw just now as a mother protecting her daughter succumbing to the claws of a Neoshadow losing her heart. Helios froze the Neoshadow inches away from the little girl.
The distant sounds of battle—shouts, clashes of steel, and the cries of those unfortunate enough to cross paths with the monsters—filled the air. He should have ignored this girl because logically saving her wouldn't change much. But something in her mother's eyes before she fell moved him. She looked over as if pleading for him to save her daughter.
Helios over to the crying girl opened a dark corridor to Traverse Town and pushed her in. Putting that out of his mind he left the area. Turning another corner, he caught sight of a familiar figure. A group of Shadows and Soldiers had surrounded Yuffie, Leon, Aerith, and Tifa. The four of them fought with precision and skill, coordinating their efforts to protect a small group of survivors they had managed to gather
Helios summoned his dark form and keyblade he leaped into the fray. With calculated movements, he slashed through the Heartless, clearing a path to the group. The sudden appearance of the dark figure startled Yuffie and the others, but Helios's precise actions quickly made it clear he wasn't an enemy—at least not right now.
"Who are you?" Leon demanded, his gunblade raised, suspicion clear in his voice.
"No time for questions," Helios said curtly, his voice distorted by his dark form. "Get your people to Cid's workshop. I'll cover you."
Tifa and Aerith exchanged a quick glance before nodding. Aerith began ushering the survivors forward, her calm demeanor soothing their panic, while Tifa and Yuffie stayed close, cutting down any Heartless that drew too near. Leon hesitated for a moment before lowering his weapon and following the group.
Helios fought alongside them, his movements swift and efficient. Once they reached the workshop, he directed them to the Highwind, the Gummi Ship standing ready for departure. Cid was still missing so Helios still in his dark form went over to the computer, activated the initial launch, and was about to program the destination for Traverse Town when he realized something.
When Sora met Leon in Traverse Town Leon had met Mickey before and knew of him. So unless Mickey went to Traverse Town they would never meet. Helios did not have time to make sure such a meeting took place so he needed to send them to Disney Castle. Fortunately, the Gummi left by Mickey for Ansem the Wise was included so they could gate a wrap gate to Traverse Town which should be by Disney Castle.
"Cid already set the destination for a place called Traverse Town," Helios instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. " Take the survivors and head there. You'll all be safe there. Once you're there there should be a nearby world you'll find Cis there. There's someone there who help you and explain everything going on if you describe my weapon to him."
Tifa stepped forward. "What about Cloud? I'm not leaving without him."
Helios turned, his voice cold. "He's safe. You'll see him again."
Tifa's determination didn't waver. "I need to—"
Helios sighed and before she could take a step forward he cast the Sleep spell on her. Tifa's body slumped to the floor as the sleep spell took hold. Leon immediately stepped forward, his gunblade raised, fury and suspicion etched on his face. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice sharp and brimming with anger.
Helios didn't flinch, keeping his Keyblade lowered but ready. "She's safer this way," he said, his voice calm but distorted by his dark form. "She was going to get herself killed searching for someone who doesn't need saving."
Aerith stepped between them, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Squall, stop," she said, using his true name with a tone that carried both authority and warmth. "He didn't harm her. She's just asleep. Look." She knelt beside Tifa and gently touched her face, showing Leon her steady, unharmed breathing.
Leon hesitated, his grip on the gunblade tightening, but he didn't lower it. Yuffie crossed her arms, her expression skeptical as she glanced between Helios and Leon. "We're really supposed to trust this guy?" she asked, her voice sharp. "He just knocked out Tifa. For all we know, he's luring us into some kind of trap."
"The survivors don't have time for this," Helios interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. "You're wasting precious minutes arguing. Either get them on that ship and save them, or stay here and die with them. Your choice."
Yuffie's lips parted as if to retort, but she glanced at the huddled survivors behind them. Their terrified faces and trembling forms silenced her. She bit her lip and looked away.
Leon's jaw tightened, his gaze hardening as he met Helios's glowing eyes. "There are still people out there," he said, his voice quieter but no less resolute. "We can't just leave them."
Helios's voice grew colder, a sharp edge cutting through his words. "And how many of them will you find before you're overwhelmed by Heartless? How many lives will you actually save by running around this city?" He stepped closer, his presence looming. "You can't save everyone. But you can save them." He gestured toward the survivors with his Keyblade. "Make your choice."
Leon faltered, his resolve wavering. Aerith placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Squall," she said softly, her green eyes filled with quiet understanding. "He's right. If we don't leave now, we're putting all these people in danger."
Leon's grip on the gunblade loosened slightly, his shoulders slumping under the weight of the decision. He looked back at the survivors, their hope resting squarely on his shoulders. Finally, he nodded, lowering his weapon.
"Fine," he said reluctantly. "But this isn't over."
"It never is," Helios replied, his tone tinged with weariness.
Yuffie sighed, throwing up her hands. "Guess we're trusting the scary dark guy. Fantastic."
Helios ignored the comment, stepping past them to the control panel. With a few keystrokes, he finalized the ship's launch sequence. The Gummi Ship hummed to life, its engines glowing faintly.
"I have other tasks to complete," he said curtly. "If you're smart, you'll leave now. This city is lost."
Leon stared at him, a storm of emotions flickering across his face. "Who are you?" he asked finally, his voice low and filled with suspicion.
He turned to Aerith, his distorted voice softening. "Take care of her," he said, nodding toward Tifa. "And the rest of them."
Aerith nodded, her gaze steady. "We will."
"So what are you gonna be doing?" asked Yuffie
Helios didn't answer. Instead, he opened a dark corridor and stepped through, vanishing into the shadows.
The ship's hatch closed, sealing the survivors inside. The engines roared to full power, and within moments, the ship ascended into the dark sky, leaving Radiant Garden behind.
As the noise of the launch faded, the oppressive silence of the Heartless-infested city settled around Helios.