Chapter 21

Helios awoke after a night's rest and stretched as this might have been the best sleep he had in months. As Helios lay on the bed, his mind began to drift, contemplating the events that had led him to this moment. The room was adorned with simple yet comforting decor, and the soft glow of the lamp on the bedside table cast a warm ambiance. It was in this serene atmosphere that Helios found himself pondering the path ahead.

Later, a gentle knock on the bedroom door interrupted his thoughts. Merlin's voice followed, permeating the room. "Helios, if you are ready, I would like to continue our conversation," the wizard called out.

Helios sat up, adjusting his posture and clearing his mind. He responded, "I am ready, Sir. Please, give me a moment to get ready and I'll join you soon."

Helios rose from the bed and made his way to the small bathroom adjacent to the bedroom. He freshened up, splashing cool water on his face, and ran a comb through his hair. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he steeled himself for the conversation ahead. It was clear that Merlin held the key to unlocking the answers he sought, and he needed to approach the discussion with both respect and determination.

As he emerged from the bedroom, Helios found Merlin waiting in the main room of the cottage, a warm smile gracing his features. The wizard motioned for him to take a seat at the cozy table, where a steaming cup of tea awaited him. Helios settled into the chair, the scent of the fragrant brew filling his senses. "First, let us address the darkness that surrounds you," Merlin began, his voice calm yet firm. "It is a powerful force that must be understood and purged, lest it consumes you. Tell me about what happened?"

Helios nodded, his gaze focused on Merlin, ready to absorb every word of wisdom. "I have sensed the darkness within me, and it frightens me," Helios admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "When my world was being destroyed my parents and I were suddenly attacked. The creature grabbed them and I was swallowed by a swirling black hole. I started to hear the voice of my parents but something was off as they told me to give in to allow myself to be consumed. The last thing I remember is two bright lights protecting me and I swear I could hear my mom and dad's voice telling me to never give up and that they'll always protect me."

Merlin listened attentively, his gaze filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. "Your experience is both harrowing and perplexing," he remarked, his voice filled with empathy. "The darkness that surrounds you seems to be intertwined with the loss of your family and your world. It is not uncommon for such traumas to leave a lasting mark, but there is more to this darkness than meets the eye."

Helios leaned forward, his eyes searching for answers. "What do you mean, Sir? What could be causing this darkness, and how can I rid myself of it?" he asked, faking the mixture of hope and desperation in his voice.

Merlin took a deep breath, his expression grave yet determined. "The answers lie in understanding the nature of darkness itself," he explained. "Darkness is a force that can lead to corruption. It is often drawn to pain, loss, despair, and negative emotions seeking to exploit those emotions and twist them into something destructive. Your connection to the darkness may stem from the traumatic events you witnessed."

Helios nodded, absorbing Merlin's words with a mix of trepidation and resolve. "What must I do, Sir? How can I confront and overcome this darkness?" he inquired.

Merlin placed a hand on Helios' shoulder, his touch reassuring. "You must let go of the negative emotions and trauma. This however takes time and it is most likely not something that can be done soon. The power exists within you but never use it or it shall take control of you," he replied. "I will need to consult some of my books to see if there is a way to help seal that power."

Helios looked at Merlin, "You can seal darkness, Sir? Can that truly help me be free of it?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

Merlin's smile widened, filled with a mix of wisdom and excitement. "As I said I'm not sure I may be able to do so but to truly be rid of it requires the strength of your heart," he answered. "Now enough of that, I will explain to you what those creatures who attacked your world were."

Helios nodded, his eyes fixed on Merlin, pretending eager to learn more about the heartless that already had knowledge of. "Please, Sir, tell me about those creatures. Who were they, and why did they attack my world?" he inquired, his voice laced with a sense of anticipation.

Merlin took a moment to gather his thoughts, his expression growing serious. "The creatures that attacked your world are known as Heartless," he began, his voice carrying a weight of caution. "They are the embodiment of darkness, born from the hearts consumed by the shadows. Their purpose is to seek out and devour the light, plunging worlds into darkness."

"But why did they specifically target my world? Was it random, or was there a reason behind their attack?" Helios pressed, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and a subtle rage.

Merlin's eyes narrowed, his voice tinged with a somber tone. "The Heartless are drawn to worlds that possess strong ties to the power of the heart," he explained. "Your world must have had a significant presence of light and hearts, making it a prime target for the Heartless. They aim to engulf and consume the hearts within, spreading darkness and chaos. That man in the black coat you spoke of must have drawn a few to your world and they brought the rest."

Helios clenched his fists, his anticipation growing stronger. "Then is there a way to restore my world and its people," he asked, his voice filled with resolve.

Merlin saw Helios' eagerness and was sad to shake his head as he said, "As of this time I know no way of restoring things taken by the heartless."

Of course, Helios knew that already and he knew how to restore his world but he needed Merlin to feel bad for him to increase his chance of getting a positive response to his next question. He then said, "If I can't bring them back then I want to learn how to fight back, to be able to find what remains and protect it. If I survived then there may be others who did too, so please Sir can you help me? You seem powerful can you teach me to fight to prevent them from harming those I care about."

Merlin observed Helios carefully, his eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and caution. "Your strength of heart is commendable, Helios," he said, acknowledging the sincerity of Helios' request. "To stand against the Heartless, you will need to embrace the power of your own heart and wield the power of light. I can guide you and provide you with the knowledge and training necessary to confront them, but I must warn you, that the path you seek is perilous and fraught with challenges."

Helios nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I understand, Sir. I am willing to face whatever challenges lie ahead. I want to protect those I care about and prevent further harm from befalling our worlds," he declared, his voice filled with determination.

Merlin's smile widened, his eyes reflecting a mix of mentorship and support. "Very well, Helios. Your journey to become a wizard begins now," he affirmed. "But remember, the power of magic comes with great responsibility. You must learn to control it and wield it with a heart of pure goodness."

Helios nodded, his gaze fixed on Merlin, ready to absorb every lesson and guidance. "I will do my best, Sir. Please teach me," he requested, his voice filled with gratitude and eagerness.