The golden hues of the setting sun stretched across the sky as Helios and Skuld descended into the city of Thebes. The once-bustling streets had quieted with the approach of night, only a few rchants packing away their stalls and so lingering citizens enjoying the cool evening air.
Helios stretched his arms behind his head, exhaling as he glanced toward the inn where they were staying. "Well, looks like we made it back before dark," he mused.
Skuld, however, frowned as she noticed sothing off. The inn was quiet—too quiet.
"No Cloud, no Zack, no Sephiroth," she muttered, scanning the area. "Where are they?"
Helios barely seed concerned. "They'll co back when it's ti to eat," he said lazily, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Cloud doesn't have anywhere else to go, and Zack would never miss a al."
Skuld shot him a sharp look. "We should check. What if sothing happened?"
Helios sighed, clearly preferring to let the situation resolve itself. But Skuld's glare had won out. "Fine, fine. Let's go find them."
Following Skuld's intuition, they left the city's walls and ventured toward the open fields behind Thebes. The sound of rustling grass filled the quiet air as they walked, the sky now deepening into a rich purple as twilight took hold.
Then, in the distance, they saw them.
Cloud and Zack lay sprawled on the ground, their bodies bloodied, battered, and bruised, while Sephiroth stood over them, his long Masamune sword gleaming faintly in the dim light.
Skuld gasped and broke into a sprint. "Cloud!"
Helios remained calm but quickened his pace slightly, summoning his Keyblade with a casual flick of his wrist. He let out a lazy yawn, lifting his weapon and casting Cura.
A wave of green light washed over Cloud and Zack, their wounds closing as the spell took effect. Cloud stirred first, groaning as his eyelids fluttered open. Zack sat up with a grunt, rubbing his sore shoulders.
"Ugh… man, that guy doesn't hold back," Zack muttered, flexing his arms.
anwhile, Skuld was furious. She shot a glare toward Sephiroth and summoned her Keyblade, Ravenveil Whisper, wind swirling around its hilt as she prepared to attack.
"Hey, what the hell is wrong with you?!" she shouted at Sephiroth.
Before she could charge, a cage of wind ford around her, trapping her in place. She turned, eyes wide in shock, only to see Helios standing there with his arm raised, palm glowing faintly.
"What are you doing?!" Skuld demanded, slamming her Keyblade against the swirling winds.
Helios t her gaze lazily. "Relax. They were just training."
Skuld's glare didn't fade. "Training?! They looked half-dead!"
Zack groaned as he got to his feet, dusting himself off. "Yeah, well, that's kind of the point. You don't get stronger if you don't push yourself."
Skuld looked between Zack and Cloud, who was still recovering on the ground. Slowly, she lowered her weapon. "You're serious?"
Zack grinned. "Yup."
The winds around Skuld dispersed as Helios released the spell, and she sighed in reluctant acceptance.
Helios leaned on his Keyblade, shifting his attention to Sephiroth. "So how'd you manage to convince him to train you two?"
Zack laughed. "Oh, that's easy—I promised to never talk to him again in exchange."
Helios chuckled, picturing it in his head—Zack constantly trailing behind Sephiroth, begging for training, asking again and again until Sephiroth finally agreed just to shut him up. He had no doubt the dark swordsman would have tempted to cut Zack down right then and there if not of their promise and his connection to the boy.
He turned his gaze toward Sephiroth, who remained silent, standing with his usual air of detached indifference.
"Sounds like a fair trade," Helios mused, smirking slightly.
Sephiroth didn't react, nor did he confirm or deny Zack's claim. Instead, he simply tilted his head slightly, as if already growing tired of their presence.
Helios let out another yawn and stretched. "Alright, we're heading back. You guys coming?"
He turned and started walking toward the city without waiting for a response.
Skuld sighed and went to Cloud's side, gently grabbing his hand and helping him up. "Co on, let's go," she said softly.
Cloud, still weary, allowed himself to be led. His movents were stiff, but thanks to Cura, he could at least walk.
Helios glanced back, expecting Zack to follow, but Sephiroth was still standing in the sa spot. Then, in an instant, the silver-haired swordsman vanished into darkness.
Zack, realizing he was now alone, blinked. "Hey, wait! Don't just leave out here!"
He quickly broke into a jog, catching up with Helios and Skuld. "Geez, you guys were just gonna leave , huh?"
Helios smirked. "You were standing there like you had unfinished business. Thought maybe you wanted a rematch."
Zack laughed. "Not tonight. I need food first."
By the ti they made it back to Thebes, the streets were empty, the city settling into the silence of night. Lanterns flickered along the roads, casting a warm golden glow on the cobblestone paths.
The inn's entrance creaked as Helios pushed open the door, stepping inside.
Zack sighed in relief. "Man, I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving."
Skuld led Cloud to one of the chairs by the table and sat him down before taking a seat herself.
Helios walked toward the back of the inn, stretching his arms once again. "You guys eat without . I'm turning in for the night."
Zack gave him a confused look. "Huh? You're not eating?"
Helios waved him off lazily. "Not hungry."
He stepped into his shared room with Sephiroth and closed the door behind him, letting out a quiet sigh.
The room was dimly lit by the faint glow of the moon outside the window. Helios tossed his jacket onto a chair and sat on the edge of the bed, resting his elbows on his knees.
His thoughts drifted—not to Zack, Cloud, or even Sephiroth, but to what lay ahead.
The Realm of Darkness.
It wouldn't be long now before they made their descent. He had a few things to take care of so they would probably leave the day after tomorrow.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, knowing that sleep would not co easily tonight.
Zack glanced at Skuld, who was quietly watching Cloud as he ate. "So… is he always like that?" he asked, jerking his thumb toward the door Helios had disappeared behind.
Skuld shrugged. "Pretty much. He keeps a lot to himself."
Zack grinned. "Mysterious, huh? I can respect that."
Cloud remained quiet, staring at his plate but occasionally glancing toward the closed door.
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