The aroma of spiced fish and baked roots preceded Kida's arrival, carried on a tray in the steady hands of those followed. The soft clinking of crystalware followed as her guards stepped into the dimly lit chamber, their masked faces unreadable, spears gripped tightly in their hands. The faint light of the Heart of Atlantis reflected in the etched patterns of their armor, giving them a haunting glow.
Helios was already awake, his oceanic collored eyes catching the subtle ripple in the air as the Atlantean princess approached. Beside him, Kurai sat perfectly still on the edge of the bed, her posture unnervingly straight, her gaze fixed on the door as though she'd sensed Kida long before her footfalls sounded. Skuld, on the other hand, remained curled under the thin woven blanket, her chest rising and falling with the gentle rhythm of deep sleep.
Helios leaned slightly, his expression softening as he reached over and gently tapped Skuld's shoulder.
"Time to wake up, sleepyhead," he murmured, his voice low and warm, like a brother coaxing a sibling from a dream.
Skuld stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She blinked at him, then sat up slowly, brushing stray strands of hair from her face. "Already?" she whispered, her voice groggy.
"Yes," Helios said with a faint grin. "And let's try not to alarm our hosts, hm?"
The three of them stood as Kida entered, flanked by two towering guards. The princess's steps were graceful yet commanding. Her piercing blue eyes scanned the room, lingering on each of them in turn before settling on Helios.
"I trust you rested well," Kida said, her voice calm but edged with suspicion.
Helios inclined his head respectfully. "Like stones at the bottom of a calm river."
Kida arched an eyebrow at his poetic phrasing but said nothing. Instead, she gestured toward the adjoining room, where a low table had been set with Atlantean delicacies. "Come. You will eat."
The three followed silently, the guards close behind, their spears glinting faintly in the crystalline light.
The dining room was as elegant as the rest of Atlantis—smooth stone walls etched with glowing glyphs, a shallow pool running along the perimeter, its surface scattered with luminous flowers that pulsed faintly with the city's energy. As they sat cross-legged around the table, Kida remained standing, her arms crossed.
Helios noticed her intense gaze flicker briefly to Kurai before settling back on him.
"I felt it," she said abruptly. "The magic in your room."
At once, the guards' spears tightened in their grips. Kurai's eyes narrowed dangerously, her hand twitching as if to call her keyblade.
Helios, however, remained relaxed. With an almost careless wave of his hand, a soft green breeze swept through the room, ruffling hair and robes but gentle as a whisper.
"Magic like this?" he asked, his voice mild.
The guards instantly tensed, their spears darting forward in unison. "Stay your hands!" one barked in the Atlantean tongue.
"Enough!" Kida commanded sharply, raising her hand. The guards froze in place but did not lower their weapons. Kida turned her gaze back to Helios, her eyes now sharpened to a dagger's edge. "What is that? Explain yourself."
Helios gave her a disarming smile, as though the pointed weapons weren't aimed at his heart. "It's nothing harmful, I assure you. This spell merely stirs the air—creates a breeze. We call it Aero."
Kida tilted her head slightly, suspicion still etched into her features. "Why did you cast it in your quarters?"
Helios spread his hands in mock helplessness. "It was warm. I prefer cooler air when I rest. Old habit."
Kida studied him, her expression unreadable. "And where did you learn this… Aero?"
"In our travels," Helios said smoothly. "We wander from place to place, gathering stories, learning histoty and techniques, and sharing them in return. Magic like this is quite common where we've been."
Kida's eyes narrowed faintly, her keen mind working. "You speak of the outside world as though there are many places."
"There are," Helios said softly. "Far more than you can imagine, each with its own wonders."
For a heartbeat, the stern mask of the warrior princess cracked. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes bright with curiosity. "You've seen these other places with your own eyes?"
"Lived in them, walked their streets, sailed their skies," Helios replied, his tone both wistful and knowing.
Kida's brows furrowed, and she straightened. "This magic—can you teach it?"
Helios's smile widened just slightly, though his eyes betrayed none of his thoughts. "If you wish, I'd be glad to share what I know."
Kida blinked, her stoic expression faltering as a glimmer of excitement flickered across her face. She caught herself quickly, schooling her features back into her usual composure.
"Perhaps," she said coolly, though a faint blush crept into her cheeks.
Kurai, watching silently from across the table, finally spoke, her voice like a blade's edge. "Is this truly necessary, Helios? Teaching them what they don't understand will only draw more eyes to us."
Skuld shot her a glare. "Maybe if you actually tried being civil for once, you'd see the value in diplomacy."
Kurai turned her cold gaze on Skuld, her voice dropping an octave. "And perhaps if you didn't speak so freely, you'd notice we're being scrutinized like insects under glass."
Helios raised a hand, cutting through their bickering. "Enough, both of you." He turned back to Kida with an apologetic smile. "Forgive my companions. They see the world in… very different shades."
Kida's lips twitched faintly, almost an echo of a smile, but she masked it. "As long as they remain shades and not flames, they may stay."
Helios inclined his head. "We mean no harm. Only to learn, and perhaps leave a little knowledge in return."
Kida's eyes softened slightly as she gestured for her guards to step back. They did so reluctantly, still watching Helios like hawks.
"Then eat," she said. "We'll see if words hold true after food fills the belly."
Helios chuckled lightly and plucked a piece of the spiced fish from the platter, raising it in a silent toast before taking a bite.
And all the while, Kida watched him intently, her mind a storm behind her serene exterior.