Helios stepped off the tower's edge, descending into a swirling dark corridor that opened midair. His jacket flared slightly as gravity pulled him down, but he landed softly a few feet above the ground, his boots touching the stone with barely a sound. The corridor closed behind him like a whisper.
The streets were quiet, a soft hum of the ocean echoing in the distance. The ancient city still held an air of wonder, even in its silence. He walked at a steady pace, heading back toward the temporary abode Queen Kida had offered them during their stay. His mind, however, was far from calm.
Organization XIII.
It had finally formed. Or at least, the early stages of it had.
He thought of Axel—Lea. That familiar, joking tone masking deeper suspicions. Helios had always known the Organization would eventually come into play, but now it was no longer a future prediction. It was here.
Axel and Saïx—Lea and Isa—were confirmed. That brought the number to two. Add Xehanort's fragmented self, and it became three. Dilan, Braig, Evan, Ienzo, and Aeleus were the most likely to follow suit, considering what happened to them during the Radiant Garden experiments. That made seven known members.
As for the others... Roxas wouldn't exist for another nine years, not until Sora temporarily lost his heart. Others like Demyx and Luxord—unknown variables for now. Xion would come after Roxas, so she was also currently not on the board. But even with partial knowledge, Helios knew he was now walking on thin glass.
Axel's promise to keep his presence hidden could be genuine... or it could just be a stalling tactic.
"Best to assume the latter," Helios muttered under his breath.
If Axel was lying, if he planned to report back to the Organization, then Helios needed a countermeasure. A memory wipe spell was possible, but it would only work if Axel was caught off guard. Helios chuckled grimly.
"Even when we're joking like old times, we're both aiming to outmaneuver the other."
Trust was a luxury long abandoned.
Halfway through the winding walkways of Atlantis, a voice called out.
"Helios!"
He turned, instinctively alert. But it was only Skuld, running to catch up to him with a smile on her face.
He slowed his pace and waited for her.
"You're out late," he commented, hands slipping into his jacket pockets.
"Wanted to stretch my legs after the lessons," she replied. "Besides, you're one to talk. Aren't you supposed to be resting?"
"I was. Then I got bored."
"Of course you did."
They walked together in silence for a moment, steps echoing off the polished stone path. The glow of the crystal lanterns lit the street in soft blue hues, and Skuld looked up toward them with thoughtful eyes.
"How did the magic lessons go?" Helios asked.
"They went well," she said, brightening slightly. "Kida's picking things up fast, and Milo's getting the hang of it too. The kids are sharp learners—give it a few more days and they'll have all the basic spells down."
"That's good," Helios said with a nod. "We'll be leaving soon, so it's good to leave them with something useful."
Skuld looked ahead, her expression softening. "I'll miss this place."
Helios glanced sideways at her. "Why? You can always come back."
She shrugged. "I know I can come back... but that doesn't stop me from missing it. Just like Olympus."
Helios tilted his head. "You miss Olympus?"
"Yeah," she said quietly. "Even though we didn't stay there long, there was something comforting about the view. Like... it became a memory the moment we left. No matter how many times I see it again, it won't be the same."
He thought about that for a second. "That's... kind of poetic. But you're usually the practical one."
Skuld chuckled. "Maybe I'm getting soft. Or maybe it's because back in Radiant Garden, I didn't get to see anything. I was stuck in that lab, day in and day out. My only views were the ceiling and the glass."
Helios was silent.
She continued, voice gentler now. "My only friends were Lea, Isa... and you."
He looked forward again, his face unreadable. "You're free now. The world's open. You can see as many skies and views as you want."
"I know. And I'm grateful. But…" She hesitated. "In all the worlds we've visited, we haven't found any sign of them. No trace of what happened after everything fell apart. Maybe Lea and Isa didn't make it out after all. Maybe... they're really gone."
Helios didn't respond immediately. He let the silence linger, the sound of their footsteps against the stone the only thing filling the space.
Then, softly, he said, "Maybe. But I hope they did. Maybe we just haven't found them yet."
Skuld smiled faintly. "Still holding onto hope?"
"Always," he said. "Even if it's buried under all this darkness."
They continued walking, the atmosphere more reflective than before. A soft breeze blew through the corridor, making the lantern light flicker.
"Can I ask you something?" Skuld said.
"Of course."
"Why do you always seem like you're three steps ahead? Even when everything's falling apart?"
Helios grinned faintly. "Because I have to be. When you're dealing with people like Maleficent, and now these super powerful heartless, there's no room for hesitation."
"You always say that... but don't you ever get tired?"
He blinked. "Tired of what?"
"Of hiding your plans and your intentions. Of lying to people—even to your friends."
Helios's grin faded into something more melancholic. "Every day."
Skuld stopped walking, placing a hand gently on his arm. "Then don't do it alone."
Helios looked at her. For a second, the cold, calculating strategist faltered. Just a glimpse.
"I know I'm not Kurai. And I'm not as strong or as brilliant as you... but I'm here. And I want to help. Not just follow orders or run lessons. Let me carry some of the weight, too."
Helios stared at her for a moment longer, then looked away with a faint sigh. "Trust me, you help me more than what you know."
"I know you still keep me at arm's length... but I'm not going anywhere."
He smiled faintly. "You're stubborn."
"Takes one to know one."
They resumed walking. The palace was now in sight, standing tall and radiant at the city's edge.
"You really think the kids will be okay here? No heartless will appear after we leave, right?" Skuld asked.
"With Kida and Milo teaching them, and the magic you've helped pass on? Yeah. Atlantis will be fine since it's in good hands."
"I'll miss them."
"You can always write."
"I'd prefer visiting."
He chuckled. "We'll come back. Hopefully not as saviors or diplomats. Maybe just as travelers next time. We'll take a vacation."
"I like that."
As they reached the steps of their temporary home, Skuld looked up at the glowing heart.
"Hey, Helios?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever wish you'd chosen a simpler path?"
He thought about it for a long moment, then said quietly, "No, I never had a choice. But sometimes I wish I had the simplicity of the past."
"I do too," she said. "So if you need someone to talk too I'm here for you."
He turned to look at her, and for once, the guarded expression cracked. Just a little.
"Thanks, Skuld."
She smiled brightly. "Anytime."