Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

The stillness of the Dark Meridian lingered after their battle, but the echoes of combat hadn't truly faded. The darkness around them shifted—not physically, but in an intangible way, as if watching, waiting.

Skuld, still catching her breath, glanced at Helios. "So… what now? Where do we look?"

Helios stretched his arms. "Now? We train."

Skuld blinked, standing straighter. "Here? In this place?"

"Best time and place to do it," Helios replied, nodding. "You handled yourself well, but this place is different from anywhere else you've fought before. We can't afford to rely just on physical skill or magic. And right now, you're missing something crucial."

Skuld frowned. "What do you mean?"

Helios rested Equilibrium on his shoulder, his expression thoughtful. "You're strong. Your Keyblade skills are solid, your magic is improving fast, but… you still haven't relearned how to wield your power of light."

Skuld's brow furrowed. "Light magic? Do you mean like the light and cure spells? Or do you mean the reflect spell?"

Helios chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite. Light magic is one thing, but I'm talking about something deeper. I'm talking about the light held within your heart."

Skuld tilted her head. "There's a difference? What is it?"

Helios opened his mouth to explain—but as if the darkness had been waiting for a lull in their conversation, a new disturbance rippled across the ground.

More Heartless.

This time, ten Shadows emerged from the darkness, slithering up from the watery surface. Their beady yellow eyes flickered hungrily, their clawed hands twitching, waiting to strike.

Helios smirked. "Well, guess it'll be better to just show you rather than talk about it."

The Shadows moved first, darting toward them with fluid, inhuman speed.

Helios stayed still.

Just before they reached him, he raised his free hand. A surge of bright white energy formed in his palm.

"Light."

A brilliant flash burst outward, engulfing the area in blinding radiance.

Skuld shielded her eyes as the Shadows froze in place, recoiling violently. But while the magic stunned them, it didn't destroy them.

Helios turned to Skuld. "See? That's light magic. It disrupts darkness, but it doesn't purge it."

Then, he took a step back, gripping Equilibrium with both hands.

The air around him changed.

A faint glow surrounded him—soft at first, but growing stronger.

His Keyblade hummed, pulsing with energy as a golden-yellow aura wrapped around its blade.

Then—he swung.

A crescent wave of golden light burst forward, slicing through the air with immense force.

The moment it struck the Shadows, they let out an unearthly screech, their bodies unraveling into wisps of pure darkness.

Skuld's eyes widened as the final remnants of the Heartless faded.

Helios exhaled slowly, lowering his weapon. A slight exhaustion showed in his stance. His use of light was still underdeveloped and as such it took quite a bit out of him when he used it on such a grand scale.

"And that…" he said, "is the light held within our hearts. It's one of the two most powerful forces you can wield."

Skuld hesitated. "That wasn't magic?"

Helios shook his head. "No. It's different. Light from the heart is pure. It strengthens attacks, defends, and can be used in all sorts of ways. But it has to be drawn out and shaped."

Skuld looked down at her hands, frowning slightly. "But… how do I do that?"

Helios smiled. "Think about what's important to you."

She looked up. "That's it?"

"Simple, but not easy," Helios admitted. "Close your eyes. Place your hand over your heart. Think about the people who matter most to you."

Skuld hesitated, then followed his instructions.

She placed a hand on her chest, her fingers pressing lightly against her armor.

She thought of Helios.

His constant guidance, and his unwavering confidence even when things were uncertain, dangerous, and reckless. He was someone who she could always rely on and look to if she ever lost her way. Her bond with him was so precious and the only constant she had right now.

She thought of Cloud.

His lost, empty gaze. His past was shrouded in mystery, yet something deep inside her told her he needed help. That she needed to help him. He was like a younger brother who she had to look out for because she understood the pain of having no memory to rely on in this harsh world.

She thought of Zack.

Always cheerful, always pushing forward, never backing down from a fight. Although he liked holding her hand a bit too often she didn't think he was a bad guy.

Lea. Isa.

When her memories were still hazy, she met them and they brought light to her dark empty world trapped in the research lab. They were important as they were the first to open her empty heart and fill it with joyful memories.

And then—

A white-haired boy.

A familiar presence, a name just on the tip of her tongue but always beyond reach. She couldn't properly remember his face, but his existence filled her with warmth. Whenever she thought of him an overpowering feeling overcomes her. It was a scary feeling due to its intestity but she also felt comfort from it.

Something inside her stirred.

Then as a response to the thoughts in her mind, a light burst from her chest. It was sudden, blinding, engulfing everything around her in a pure, radiant glow.

Helios shielded his eyes from the overwhelming brilliance, a small smile forming. "Yeah. That's it."

Skuld gasped as the light slowly faded.

She looked down at her hands, feeling a new energy thrumming inside her.

Helios stepped forward, nodding. "Now you just need to control it and figure out how to use it in battle."

Skuld clenched her fist, feeling the warmth of the light still lingering within her. "So… how do I test it?"

A low, rumbling tremor suddenly echoed through the Dark Meridian.

Helios sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Well, as luck would have it…"

The darkness answered her light.

The water rippled violently as the shadows themselves twisted, forming massive figures.

A hoard of Darksides rose from the blackened depths—ten of them.

Each one towered over them, their massive, clawed hands twitching, their yellow eyes burning with an endless hunger.

And surrounding them—dozens of smaller Heartless. Shadows and Neoshadows formed a sea of darkness, drawn to the light Skuld had awakened.

Helios sighed dramatically, spinning his Keyblade. "Well, you got their attention."

Skuld took a step forward, her expression firm.

Helios grinned. "Alright then. They went through the trouble of getting a training partner for you so let's not disappoint them. Let's see how you handle them."

And with that, they charged into battle.