The dark corridor peeled open just beyond the mansion gates, spilling its quiet, shifting shadow across the courtyard. Helios stepped through, the rift closing behind him like a deep breath returning to silence. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of laurel and rain. Moonlight bathed the white marble of the Olympus estate, giving it an otherworldly sheen—serene and deceptive.
He paused for a moment, taking in the familiar view—the still gardens, the distant trickle of the fountain, the faint hum of wards in the air. Then, from the darkness at the edge of the courtyard, a voice broke the calm.
"Back so soon?"
Kurai emerged from the shadows, arms crossed, silver eyes gleaming faintly beneath the moon. Her expression was unreadable—somewhere between disdain and curiosity.
Helios smiled faintly, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. "I'm back. Did you miss me?"
Kurai tilted her head, her tone smooth but sharp. "Looks like you came back without any surprises from the evil fairy."
A low chuckle escaped him. "She's far too proud to use a trick we've discovered again. But she did give me something useful."
"Information?" Kurai asked flatly.
"Of a sort," Helios said, brushing past her. "I'll tell you when it's relevant."
She didn't stop him, but her eyes followed his every step until he reached the doors. "You're hiding something again," she murmured under her breath.
The door closed softly behind him.
Inside, the mansion was dimly lit, a few candles flickering along the corridor. Helios made his way through the hall, passing the faint hum of sleeping wards and the soft tick of clocks. Somewhere upstairs, he heard the quiet murmur of voices—Skuld, likely awake despite the hour.
He was right. When he reached the upper landing, he found her leaning against the railing, a blanket draped over her shoulders, eyes heavy but warm with relief.
"Helios," she said softly, her voice hoarse from exhaustion. "You're back."
"I said I'd return before dawn," he replied gently, taking in her pale face and the faint shimmer of healing light still clinging to her aura. "You should be resting."
"So should you," she countered, trying to smile. "But… I'm glad you're here."
He gave a small nod. "You did well, Skuld. Rest now. We have a long day ahead."
She hesitated before nodding and retreating down the corridor. As she disappeared into her room, Helios glanced toward the far end of the hall—Aqua stood there, half in shadow, her arms folded. The moonlight caught the blue in her hair, turning it pale silver.
"You went to see her, didn't you?" Aqua's voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of tension—of curiosity sharpened by distrust.
"Maleficent?" he replied casually. "Yes."
"And?"
"She's still as melodramatic as ever." He started past her, pausing only when she turned her head slightly toward him.
"She's dangerous," Aqua said quietly. "You know that."
"I do," he answered without slowing. "That's what makes her predictable."
Aqua frowned but said nothing more. As his footsteps faded, she lingered for a moment, her expression softening. Something in the way he moved—steady, measured—felt strangely reassuring. And yet… she couldn't shake the feeling that every step he took led deeper into a shadow none of them could see.
Morning came slowly, sunlight spilling through the great hall's tall windows. The smell of food wafted through the air—fresh bread, roasted fruit, the faint aroma of brewed coffee.
The long dining table was crowded that morning. It was one of the few times everyone had gathered at once.
Helga sat with her arms crossed, sharp eyes scanning the room between bites of toast. Across from her, Circe lounged lazily, swirling her cup of tea with a smirk. "You know, darling, it wouldn't kill you to smile once in a while."
Helga didn't look up. "And it wouldn't kill you to talk less."
"Oh, but if I did that," Circe purred, "the world would be a much duller place."
Zack, seated between them, looked ready to pull his hair out. "Hey, hey, come on now—breakfast is supposed to be peaceful, right? Let's not start a Trojan War before the eggs get cold."
Tempest nearly choked on her drink, laughing. "You're a brave man, Zack."
Cloud sat beside Thalen, quiet as ever, though his eyes occasionally flicked up—watchful, calculating. Thalen himself listened silently, his hand resting near his new weapon, still adjusting to the quiet after his last battle.
Sephiroth sat apart, near the far end of the table, posture impeccable, his plate untouched. His gaze flicked toward Helios the moment the latter entered the room. Kurai was already there beside him, seated with an air of detached boredom.
"Morning," Helios greeted lightly, taking his seat at the head of the table.
Zack raised a hand cheerfully. "Morning! Slept well?"
"I don't sleep much," Helios replied, pouring himself tea.
"...Right," Zack said with a sheepish grin. "Forgot who I was talking to."
Helga muttered, "You forget everything, apparently."
Circe chuckled behind her teacup. "And yet he's still charming, isn't he? Shame he talks so much."
"Charming's not the word I'd use," Helga said dryly.
Skuld arrived a moment later, still pale but smiling faintly. Aqua followed her, quiet and composed as always. They took seats near Helios—Skuld beside him, Aqua across the table. The hum of conversation filled the hall again—light, scattered, almost normal.
It was the first time in a week that laughter felt genuine, even if it was fleeting.
As breakfast wound down, Helios set his cup aside and stood. The room quieted immediately—something about the way he moved demanded attention without him ever raising his voice.
"We'll be leaving tomorrow morning," he said evenly. "Destination: Traverse Town."
Zack blinked. "Traverse Town? What's that?"
"It's… a safe haven of sorts," Aqua said softly. "A gathering place for those whose worlds were lost. Normally, I wouldn't disclose this, but since you all seem to be aware of other worlds, it shouldn't matter."
Helios nodded. "We'll meet some old friends there. Rest today, prepare your things tonight. We depart at first light."
There was a brief murmur among the group. Circe stretched lazily, smirking. "Another world? Oh, how thrilling. Perhaps this one will finally have someone worth talking to."
Helga sighed. "You mean flirting with."
"Same thing, really," Circe replied airily.
Tempest grinned. "I'll take care of transport preparations. Cloud, help me."
Cloud gave a quiet nod. "Understood."
Skuld smiled faintly. "Traverse Town… it's been a while since I was there. It's so peaceful."
"Peaceful," Kurai murmured under her breath, her tone unreadable. "Until we arrive. We have a habit of drawing trouble to us."
Helios smirked at that, though he didn't disagree.
"Eat well, rest well," he said simply. "Tomorrow, we start moving again."
With that, he turned and left the table, the faint sound of his footsteps echoing up the stairs until they faded into silence.
That night, the mansion was calm again, its halls washed in silver light. The others slept—or pretended to—but Kurai stood on the balcony outside her room, watching the stars glitter faintly above the clouds. Below, the fountain's waters rippled under the moonlight, and the faintest trace of Helios's aura lingered in the air.
She exhaled softly, her breath fogging in the cool night air.
"You're hiding something again," she whispered, eyes narrowing as she gazed toward the horizon where the worlds met the void. "And this time… I'll find out what."
Her silver hair shimmered faintly as she vanished into shadow.
The night remained still, but somewhere in the distance, the faint hum of a dark corridor stirred once more—quiet, patient, inevitable.