Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

With only two rooms at the inn, the group split the arrangements: Skuld and Cloud would share one room, while Helios and Sephiroth would take the other. The division was practical, but it also set the stage for a long, tense night in Helios and Sephiroth's room.

Cloud, still unconscious, was carefully laid on the bed in Skuld's room. Skuld sat beside him, her gaze lingering on his pale face. She gently adjusted the blanket over him, her movements filled with quiet determination. "We'll fix this," she whispered, as though speaking to both Cloud and herself.

In the adjacent room, Helios sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning against the wall, while Sephiroth stood by the window, his back turned to the rest of the room. The faint light of the moon cast his silhouette in sharp relief, emphasizing the quiet menace of his presence. Neither man had any intention of sleeping that night—Sephiroth's wary watchfulness ensured it, and Helios had too much on his mind to find rest.

Breaking the silence, Sephiroth's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Does this world have what you promised me?"

Helios smirked, leaning his head back against the wall. "Part of it," he said, his tone calm but calculated. "The first piece is here—someone who can heal Cloud's heart, ensuring your continued existence. That part's guaranteed."

Sephiroth's posture didn't change, but his voice carried a note of skepticism. "And the second part? The challenge you spoke of?"

Helios's smirk deepened. "This world has two coliseums," he began. "Each one claims to host the strongest warriors in the world. Tomorrow, you'll visit one of them."

At this, Helios reached into his pocket and retrieved a small card. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it toward Sephiroth. The card spun through the air, its edges catching the faint light, before Sephiroth caught it effortlessly without even glancing.

"Use that to enter," Helios said. "You'll get a taste of the talent this world has to offer. Show them what you're capable of. Win some money too while you're at it."

Sephiroth finally turned to face him, his cold, piercing eyes meeting Helios's gaze. "And what will you be doing while I entertain myself?"

Helios leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. "I'll be visiting an old acquaintance. For the first time."

The statement hung in the air, strange and contradictory. Sephiroth's eyes narrowed, the faintest hint of curiosity breaking through his usual indifference. "An old acquaintance you've never met?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

Helios chuckled softly, his expression unreadable. "It's complicated," he said. "Let's just say it's someone I've always wanted to meet. But don't concern yourself with that. Focus on the coliseum. You'll go with Skuld, by the way."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. "Skuld?"

Helios nodded. "She'll place bets on you while you fight. Consider it an opportunity for her to learn how to navigate a new world while securing our funds for the foreseeable future. And you get to see how talented the warriors here really are."

Sephiroth tilted his head slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Interesting," he murmured. "But why send her with me? You seem capable enough to manage that task yourself."

Helios shrugged, his tone casual but deliberate. "Because I have more important things to do. I also trust her more than I trust myself to handle it. She'll draw less attention than I would, and she'll be safe with you. It's efficient."

Sephiroth's gaze lingered on Helios, scrutinizing him as though searching for hidden motives. "And what if I decide not to go?" he asked, his voice low and challenging.

Helios met his gaze without flinching. "Then you'd be missing out on what you came here for. But I doubt you'll pass up the chance to test yourself."

For a moment, the room was silent again. Then Sephiroth turned back to the window, his smirk barely visible in the dim light. "We'll see," he said.

Helios leaned back against the wall, his smirk fading as his thoughts turned inward. The weight of everything he had planned—Cloud's recovery, Sephiroth's ambitions, his own mysterious meeting—pressed heavily on him. He closed his eyes, feigning rest, but his mind raced with strategies and contingencies.

Sephiroth glanced over his shoulder, his sharp gaze falling on Helios. "You said you're tired," he remarked. "But you're not sleeping."

Helios's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Maybe I'm just resting my eyes," he replied. "Big day tomorrow."

The first light of dawn crept through the small window, bathing the room in a warm golden hue. Skuld knocked softly on the door before peeking inside. "Breakfast is ready downstairs," she said, her voice quiet but cheerful.

Helios stretched and stood, his movements deliberate as he shook off the stiffness of the night. Sephiroth followed suit, his presence as commanding as ever. The trio made their way to the inn's common area, where a simple but hearty meal of what seemed like pancakes, fruits, and olives awaiting them.

As they ate, Helios went over the plan again. "Skuld, you'll stick with Sephiroth at the coliseum. Watch the matches and place bets when you can. Just don't draw too much attention. If you come across a boy named Zack don't approach him but remember to tell me about it."

Skuld nodded, her expression determined. "Got it. What about you?"

Helios hesitated for a moment before answering. "I have someone to find. It's… important."

Skuld tilted her head, curious but unwilling to press him further. "Alright. Just be careful."

Sephiroth said nothing, finishing his meal in silence before standing and heading for the door. "Let's go," he said, his tone flat.

Helios watched them leave. He had a lot to accomplish in this world, and time was running short. As the door closed behind them, he let out a quiet sigh.

"Time to meet Hades," he muttered to himself. With that, he stepped outside, the morning sun casting long shadows into the heart of Thebes.

Sephiroth and Skuld arrived at the coliseum, its grand entrance flanked by towering statues of warriors from ages past crossing their swords. The sound of cheering crowds and clashing weapons echoed from within, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation.

Skuld glanced up at Sephiroth, the munny card in her hand. "This is it," she said, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension.

Sephiroth nodded, his expression unreadable. "Stay close," he instructed. "And do as the boy told you," Skuld hesitated for a moment before nodding. Together, they stepped into the coliseum.