Chapter 7

Helios took a deep breath, his mind racing as he weighed his options. The figure's offer lingered, tempting him, but his instincts screamed not to trust it. He couldn't let himself be possessed, but there had to be a way to escape this place—without losing his soul.

"I appreciate your offer," Helios began, keeping his voice calm, "but I have to decline your deal for Kingdom Hearts."

The figure tilted its head, dark energy swirling lazily around it. "Is that so?" it said, its tone laced with curiosity. "And what alternative do you propose, if not to accept my generous offer?"

Helios forced a smile, trying to sound sincere. "Why not become friends? Friends don't need deals—they help each other because they trust each other. You help me get out of here, and maybe I can help you with something down the line. No strings attached, no possession. Just... friendship."

The figure's glowing eyes narrowed, and for a moment, it said nothing, assessing Helios's words. "Friends?" it echoed, amusement lacing its tone. "And what do you think we'd do as friends if there's no benefit in it for me?"

Helios shrugged, his heartbeat quickening. "You said it yourself—trust can be built over time. Friends work together without the need for manipulation. Maybe we both get something out of this."

The figure was silent, shadows dancing around it as if pondering Helios's proposal. Finally, it spoke, a low, dangerous laugh escaping its lips. "Very well. We shall be 'friends,' Helios. But make no mistake—if you become a liability, I won't hesitate to dispose of you."

Helios nodded, the tension in his chest easing just a little. "Fair enough. So, how about we start with you helping me get out of here?"

The figure floated closer, its dark energy pulsing in rhythm with Helios's racing heart. "Before we leave, there's something you need to learn," it said, its voice soft and dangerous. "Darkness is not your enemy—it's simply a tool. Learn to use it, or it will consume you."

Helios watched as the figure began to explain the nuances of wielding darkness, but before he could absorb the lesson, the ground beneath them shifted. Black tendrils stretched across the beach, and glowing yellow eyes appeared, staring out from the growing shadows.

Neoshadows—the Heartless—emerged from the darkness. Their large, clawed hands and crooked antennae were unmistakable. They slinked forward, muscles tensed, ready to strike.

Helios's body reacted on instinct, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'm not ready for this," he muttered, backing away.

The figure floated beside him, watching the approaching Heartless with cold indifference. "Run," it ordered. "You're no use to me dead."

Without hesitation, Helios turned and sprinted, his feet pounding against the shadowy ground as the Neoshadows slithered closer. The figure followed, its dark energy propelling it with speed, effortlessly keeping pace with him.

They raced through the twisted corridors of the Realm of Darkness, the shadows of Heartless creeping after them. Helios pushed himself harder, his breath coming in ragged gasps as they navigated the desolate landscape. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they managed to lose the pursuing Heartless.

Collapsing onto the ground, Helios's chest heaved as he gasped for air. His body felt like it was on fire, every muscle aching from the exertion. The figure hovered over him, its voice sharp and unyielding.

"Rest quickly," it said, eyes scanning the darkness. "We're not safe yet. The Heartless are drawn to the light of your heart, and this area has recently been consumed. We need to move."

Helios, still panting, glanced up and froze. His surroundings became painfully clear—the city of Nightfall, or at least what remained of it, lay in ruins. The streets where he'd grown up, the buildings he had known, were swallowed by darkness, now nothing more than broken remnants.

Grief crashed over him, and he grabbed his head, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "Why…?" he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "Why did this happen?"

The figure regarded him with cold detachment. "Why?" it repeated, mocking. "Your parents made the choice to sacrifice themselves for you. It was a foolish decision, but it worked in my favor. Now, stop wasting time. We must move."

Helios's breath caught in his throat as the weight of his loss pressed down on him. His parents—gone. His city—gone. Everything he had known, erased in an instant. His vision blurred with tears as he struggled to process the devastation.

"I don't expect you to understand," Helios muttered, standing shakily, "but they sacrificed everything for me. They gave their hearts to protect me. I won't let their sacrifice be in vain."

The figure scoffed, its energy swirling with disdain. "Sentimentality is weakness. It clouds your judgment. Compassion and love? They are meaningless here. Detach yourself from such emotions, or you will not survive."

Helios met its gaze, a fire burning behind his eyes. "No," he said firmly. "I won't abandon what makes me human. My parents taught me about love and compassion, and that's what I'll hold onto. I refuse to become like you."

The figure's laugh was low and mocking. "Is that so, 'friend'? We shall see how long that lasts. Compassion is what brought you here, what made you weak. But no matter, let's move before your sentimental heart draws more of them."

Helios gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. He knew he couldn't trust the figure completely, but for now, he had no choice but to follow. He wouldn't become a heartless shell. He wouldn't lose himself to the darkness.

As they continued deeper into the Realm of Darkness, the desolation grew more pronounced. Twisted structures loomed around them, casting warped shadows that seemed to flicker and stretch unnaturally. Helios's mind raced, trying to process everything, but the weight of his loss and the constant threat of the Heartless pressed down on him.

Without warning, the figure stopped, its head cocked slightly. "We have company," it said quietly, its voice low and ominous.

Helios's muscles tensed. He couldn't see anything in the surrounding darkness, but he could feel it—the oppressive presence of Heartless closing in. The figure moved swiftly, its dark energy swirling as it struck down the Heartless with deadly precision, cutting through them with cold efficiency.

As the final Heartless faded into the shadows, Helios took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.

"Don't get too comfortable," the figure warned, not bothering to turn around. "They'll keep coming. Stay alert, or you'll die."

Helios nodded, his eyes scanning the shadows. He knew they had a long way to go before they could escape the Realm of Darkness, but he was determined to survive—and he was determined not to lose himself along the way.