Chapter 35

Helios woke to a loud knocking on the front door, its steady rhythm echoing through the quiet cottage. He knew exactly who it was before he even opened his eyes. Lea and Isa had promised to return for more training, and it seemed Lea, as usual, couldn't wait to get started. Stretching, Helios stood, making his way to the door and opening it to find both of them standing outside, with Lea practically bouncing on his feet and Isa giving him a more reserved nod.

"Morning!" Lea greeted with his usual grin. "Hope we didn't wake you up, but hey, the early bird gets the magic, right?"

Helios chuckled, stepping aside to let them in. "Come on in. I'll make some tea, and we can start as soon as I'm ready."

Lea practically leaped inside, while Isa followed more calmly. Helios moved to the kitchen, putting the kettle on and preparing cups for each of them. While the tea brewed, he glanced back to see Lea already looking around, his eyes filled with curiosity, and Isa patiently waiting at the dining table.

A few minutes later, Helios served each of them a warm cup of tea, settling the mugs in front of them. "Drink up," he said with a grin. "Magic training requires focus, and a little tea doesn't hurt."

As they sipped their tea, Helios excused himself, quickly freshening up and put on his clothes. Once he returned to the dining table, he found Isa attempting to clear the mugs. Helios shook his head, gently waving him off.

"It's alright, Isa," he said with a smile. "I've got it."

Isa nodded, respecting Helios' wishes, and a moment later, they headed out, making their way to the training spot they'd used the day before. The early morning air was crisp, and a light mist still hung around the outskirts of Radiant Garden, casting a peaceful haze over the area.

Helios glanced around, ensuring no one else was in sight. Satisfied, he turned to them with a nod. "Alright, let's start. Lea, focus on visualizing and controlling the flame. Isa, remember to work on fluidity and precision."

The two nodded, slipping easily into the focus Helios had come to admire. Lea closed his eyes, a small flame appearing at his fingertips, flickering wildly before he steadied it. Isa, meanwhile, held out his hand, the air around him beginning to swirl as he carefully directed the wind's flow, shaping it with skill and intent.

Helios guided them carefully, offering advice where needed and demonstrating moves to help them improve. They practiced together, their focus intense as they pushed past their limits, and Helios felt a sense of pride seeing their growth. They worked for nearly two hours, the morning slipping by in a haze of flame and wind, until he saw the fatigue setting in on both their faces.

Lea finally let out a huff, extinguishing the small flame with a flick of his wrist. "Man, that was awesome," he said, breathless but grinning widely. "I never thought magic could feel like this."

Isa nodded, his expression more reserved but pleased. "It's challenging, but there's a sense of control. Thank you, Helios."

Just as they were winding down, Kurai's voice sliced through Helios's mind, cold and sharp.

"So," Kurai sneered, "more time wasted on these individuals despite all my warnings. If you insist on ignoring me, then as your 'friend,' I'll have to remove the choice from your hands."

Before Helios could fully register Kurai's words, a chilling presence spread around them. He felt it before he saw it—a shift in the air, the unmistakable weight of darkness. From the shadows around them, shapes began to emerge: Shadows, the lowliest yet most dangerous Heartless, slithering across the ground with their beady, glowing eyes fixed on Helios, Lea, and Isa.

Lea gasped, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. "W-What are those things?"

Isa stiffened, instinctively stepping closer to Lea, his expression darkening with alarm. "Helios… what's going on?"

Helios clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had to protect them—these two didn't stand a chance against the Heartless. Casting Aero, he sent a gust of wind toward the advancing creatures, pushing them back as he rushed over to Lea and Isa, positioning himself between them and the Heartless.

"Kurai," he hissed mentally, his anger flaring. "Stop this, now!"

Kurai's voice was a dark, satisfied purr. "Oh, I haven't done anything, Helios. This is your doing. All I did was lift the mask, and allow the darkness around you to be sensed. You, reeking of shadow as you do, have attracted these Heartless to yourself. They've merely taken the bait."

Helios gritted his teeth, slashing his hand out to cast another Aero spell, scattering a line of Shadows. "Undo it, Kurai! Now!"

Kurai only chuckled mechanically, a chilling sound that echoed through his mind. "Why would I? This is what you've chosen, isn't it? Darkness is drawn to you, Helios, and if I were to leave, your scent would only grow stronger, pulling them here in even greater numbers until they consume this entire world."

Kurai's voice turned sharp, challenging. "So, make your choice. Stand with these people in the light and sever your ties with me… or remain with me in the darkness. Either way, the consequences are yours to bear."

Helios's gaze hardened. He knew, deep down, there was no real choice. He couldn't abandon Kurai, couldn't give up the path he'd set himself on. His parents, his revenge—it all hinged on the darkness he wielded.

"I'll stay," he said aloud, his voice steady. "I'll stay in the darkness, with you."

A twisted satisfaction could be felt in Kurai's voice. "Very well. Then I'll cloak your scent once more… for now."

The Heartless wavered, their movements slowing as Kurai's power enveloped Helios again, suppressing the scent of his darkness. With newfound control, Helios cast a Fire spell, the flames blazing to life in his hands. He launched it toward the nearest group of Heartless, the heat incinerating them on impact. He continued, dispatching them with fire and wind, each spell clearing more of the Shadows until the last of them dissolved into wisps of darkness.

As the last Shadow vanished, Lea and Isa stumbled to their knees, their breaths coming in gasps. They looked at him, confusion and fear mingling in their eyes.

"What… what were those things?" Isa demanded, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lea shook his head, clearly still processing what had happened. "They came out of nowhere. And you… you fought them like you knew exactly what to do. Helios… what's going on?"

Helios's mind raced, searching for a way to explain it without revealing too much. He took a steadying breath and forced his voice to remain calm, and controlled.

"They're living darkness," he began. "Creatures drawn to the darkness in people's hearts. They're… dangerous, but there are ways to fight them. That's why Merlin's been training me—to learn how to control my magic, to be able to stand against them."

Isa's gaze narrowed. "And what about you? Why were they drawn to us just now?"

Helios hesitated, Kurai's mocking laughter echoing faintly in his mind. He couldn't risk exposing the truth of his connection to the darkness, not fully. "Sometimes, those creatures can sense when there's strong magic nearby. They're attracted to it. That's why I've been working so hard to keep it under control. It's… it's complicated. But the simple version they're after me and if you stay with me then they'll come after you too. So I can no longer train you or hang out with you."