Kurai had returned to their temporary residence first, citing that she wanted some peace and quiet before Skuld inevitably returned. Helios didn't argue. With the midday blue glow dimming, he found himself ascending one of the tallest towers in the city—a graceful spire once used to watch the stars. Now, it served no purpose but to offer a view of the beautiful, ancient city of Atlantis. From here, the glimmering domes and elegant walkways unfurled below like a living tapestry.
Helios leaned against the edge, breathing in the ocean-salted air, eyes drifting over the cityscape. Even now, his thoughts churned. There were still so many pieces missing, questions unanswered. The Heart of Atlantis, the crystals, the new type of energy Rourke managed to create, the scattered threads of his plans...
Footsteps.
He didn't turn. Instead, he kept his gaze on the city. "Kurai, did you forget something?" he asked casually.
A familiar voice replied, smooth and tinged with sarcasm. "That's a pretty cold welcome. What, no hug for an old friend?"
Helios blinked and turned sharply. A hooded figure stepped into the sunlight, their steps unhurried and relaxed. The figure approached, then sat beside him on the ledge, pulling back his hood to reveal a familiar face—sharp and angular, with bright emerald eyes and unmistakable crimson hair styled into long, spiked tufts.
"Lea," Helios said in disbelief, though his voice quickly softened into a knowing smile.
"The name's Axel," the redhead replied, leaning back slightly, a mischievous smirk dancing on his lips. "Got it memorized?"
Helios chuckled. "Still as theatrical as ever."
They shared a brief laugh before silence fell between them—the kind born not of awkwardness, but of weighty history.
Axel was the first to break it. "So... you really didn't think I'd make it out of Radiant Garden in one piece, huh?"
Helios tilted his head, observing him. "I didn't think you'd make it out whole, and it looks like I was right."
Axel's smirk dropped. "Yeah, well... things change. You know, I always figured if anyone had a plan to stop what Xehanort was doing, it would be you. Imagine my surprise when I found out you were helping the evil witch Maleficent and letting Xehanort get away with what he was doing."
Helios gave a faint smile, but his eyes remained unreadable. "It was necessary."
"Necessary?" Axel scoffed. "Watching us get experimented on? Letting Isa— no Saïx, get turned into whatever we are now? That was all part of the plan too?"
"Yes, it was," Helios answered simply. No emotion. Just truth.
Axel stared at him for a long moment. "You really are cold, Helios. So cold, I wonder if you have a heart at all. Makes me wonder if you ever actually thought of us as friends."
Helios looked out over the city again. "I did. That's why it was hard. But it didn't change what I needed to do."
Axel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "And what exactly is it that you 'needed' to do?"
Helios glanced sideways, a faint smirk returning to his lips. "It's a secret."
Axel rolled his eyes. "Figures. You always did love your secrets. I bet it was funny watching the two of us running around the city looking for those who disappeared. They ended up like us, well, I'm sure you know. I saw you watch the experiment on us in the computer footage. You deleted everything but that one, so I was curious as to why."
Another quiet moment passed between them, the wind playing with strands of their hair.
Finally, Helios asked, "So, are you here for revenge? Or to see Skuld?"
"Neither," Axel replied, his tone more serious now. "I was tracking a massive surge of dark energy in this world. It led me here. And... the Organization's curious about the power source in this world. So I was sent to scout it out."
Helios raised an eyebrow. "The Organization, right?"
Axel blinked. "You know about us?"
"I know more than you think," Helios said with a smile.
Axel gave a low whistle. "You really have been keeping tabs. Makes me wonder how much else you know."
"Wouldn't you like to know," Helios said, his tone light. "So, are you going to tell them I'm here?"
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Why would I? I don't owe them anything."
"Good to know," Helios replied. "Because I'm not going to tell them about you either. Not yet. It'd be for the best."
The wind picked up slightly. From their high perch, the ocean seemed endless, shimmering in the afternoon light.
"So what now?" Axel asked.
"I'm going to be here for a few days. You can come see me again if you'd like. I know you might not believe me, but I missed you, Lea… Axel," Helios said.
"Wow, that almost sounded heartfelt. I could have teared up there." Axel said in a mocking tone.
"I meant it," replied Helios
Axel stood up, brushing off his coat. "Well, I should get going. Don't want your dark lady friend thinking you ran off with a bad influence."
Helios stood as well. "She already thinks worse. Trust me."
Axel laughed. "I suppose it was good seeing you, Helios. Despite... everything."
Helios extended a hand. Axel looked at it for a moment, then shook it.
"Stay sharp, Axel."
"Always. Got it memorized."
And just like that, he turned and vanished into a corridor of darkness, leaving Helios alone once more.
Helios lingered for a moment longer before turning to descend the tower. The city below awaited, but his mind was already elsewhere, recalculating, adapting, preparing.
The game had changed again.
And Helios intended to stay several moves ahead.