The white towers of Atlantis shimmered under the heart's glow as Helios and Skuld approached the city. The air was cool, the ocean breeze brushing against their clothes, a welcome contrast to the suffocating heat of the volcano they had just escaped. The guards stationed at the entrance straightened at their approach, tense expressions relaxing the moment they recognized them.
Moments later, Kida and Milo arrived with a small escort. Kurai stood beside them, arms folded, her expression as unreadable as ever. Her silver eyes shifted between Helios and Skuld, lingering briefly on Helios as if assessing his condition.
Kida stepped forward, her voice edged with concern. "We sensed a surge of dark energy. We came to investigate. What happened?"
Her gaze turned sharply to Kurai. "We were told Helios had been kidnapped."
Kurai gave a curt nod, her tone blunt. "Yes."
Helios sighed and stepped forward, brushing soot from his shoulder. "A black hooded figure took me. They attacked me near a tower and took me to the volcano. We fought."
His gaze turned toward Kida and Milo, serious. "Whoever they are, they're dangerous. Be wary. I don't think they're done."
Kida's eyes narrowed. She turned to the guards immediately. "Spread the word throughout the city. If any black hooded figure is seen—anywhere—report it to the palace immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness!" the guards replied in unison before scattering in different directions to carry out the command.
Milo stepped forward, his brow furrowed as he adjusted his glasses. "Did they say what they wanted from you? Or why they attacked?"
Helios shook his head. "Not really. But it was clear they didn't want me—or probably any of us—around. They made that much obvious."
Milo's expression darkened. "Then it's likely they see you as a threat. Which means their intentions for Atlantis aren't good."
Helios gave a slow nod. "That's my guess. Whatever game they're playing, we're in the way."
Kida's gaze softened slightly. She reached out and placed a hand on Helios's shoulder. "Then rest. You've done enough for today. Recover your strength."
She looked at Skuld and Kurai. "Keep an eye on him. Make sure he's safe."
With that, she and Milo turned, their escorts following behind as they disappeared deeper into the palace.
Helios rubbed the back of his neck and gave a tired smile. "Yeah… sleep sounds like the best idea I've had in a while."
He turned and quietly headed inside the inn, disappearing toward his room.
Left behind, Skuld and Kurai stood in silence. The tension between them wasn't thick—it was oddly absent. As if they'd both shifted to separate channels of concern. Soon they followed Helios back to the room.
Skuld drifted toward the open balcony and leaned against the rail, her eyes scanning the glimmering rooftops and glistening waterways of Atlantis. Children played near the fountains, merchants were just beginning to open their stalls, and the city, unaware of the morning's chaos, moved on as if nothing had happened.
Yet her mind was not at ease.
Her thoughts drifted back to Lea—no, Axel—and Isa. She remembered them as boys with dreams, with laughter and kindness hidden beneath their awkward grins. She remembered quiet afternoons, shared secrets, and the promise of staying together no matter what.
But that promise had broken.
Now Axel fought against them, and Isa was still missing.
'Could they be reasoned with?
Could they be saved?
Would she have to fight them?'
Her stomach twisted at the thought.
She had fought enemies before. Heartless. Creatures of darkness. Even strangers who meant harm.
But not them.
Not her friends.
The thought unsettled her more than any battle ever had.
Behind her, Kurai leaned casually against a pillar, arms crossed, her tone flat.
"Well, he seems fine now," she said, flicking a glance toward the bed Helios had lain down on. "So this situation's no longer my concern."
Skuld looked over her shoulder at her. "You really don't care what just happened?"
Kurai shrugged. "He's alive. He's fine. He's not brooding in a corner like you. That's good enough. As for those two friends of yours, they are not my concern."
Skuld frowned. "Don't you ever wonder why things like this keep happening to us?"
"Because the universe hates us?" Kurai offered sarcastically, then tilted her head slightly. "Or maybe we just attract trouble. Either way, I don't lose sleep over it."
She turned and began walking away.
Skuld watched her go, part of her wanting to call out and argue—but she didn't.
Instead, she turned back to the view. The city looked peaceful now, but Skuld knew better. Trouble didn't sleep. It waited.
And the next time it came for them, it might be stronger.
Or worse… it might wear a familiar face.
On his bed, Helios sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his gloved hands.
The battle replayed in his mind—Axel's voice, the fire, the accusation.
He buried his face in his palms.
'What if Skuld was right to hesitate?
What if the darkness really was his first answer now?
What if, piece by piece, he was moving away from his goal?'
The door creaked open slightly. He didn't look up, but he heard the quiet footsteps.
Kurai's voice was cold. "So what did you tell the little girl to have her brood so much?"
Helios looked up. "I just told her parts of the truth about what happened in Radiant Garden. I can't have her turn into an enemy at this point in time."
Kurai's cold gaze turned even colder as she looked down upon Helios. "No, I suppose you couldn't, could you? So what now? Will we waste more time here trying to figure out if your friend-turned-enemy has truly left, or will we just leave?"
"We still have two more days before we're supposed to officially leave. We'll stay those two days and leave after that," answered Helios as he sat up and reached out a hand to Kurai.
Kurai, confused, placed her hand in his, and he placed it on his forehead and commented. "Your hands are always so cold; it's nice sometimes."
Kurai, without much effort, removed her hand from his grip and forehead. "Go to sleep and stop making trouble."