Aqua walked with determined strides through the quiet streets of Traverse Town, her mind swirling with the conversation she had just had with Helios.
Everything about it from his calm arrogance to his refusal to help find Terra and Ventus, and his unwavering belief in fate—all of it infuriated her.
And yet…
A small part of her hesitated.
She needed to hear the truth from someone she trusted.
She needed to hear it from Merlin. Following her sense tracking his magic she came across a large door with a flame sigil on it. It seemed enchanted so Aqua used a fire spell and the door opened. Through the door was a cave with a piece of land in the middle surrounded by water. On the land was a house using her self-made spell Aqua created magical platforms, jumped to the house, and entered.
Inside Aqua found Merlin, he was in a study filled with books and magical artifacts, a small tea kettle steaming beside him.
He looked up as she entered, his expression knowing.
"You heard the conversation," he said before she could speak.
Aqua frowned. "Then you know why I'm here."
Merlin nodded, stroking his beard. "You wish to confirm whether the young lad spoke the truth."
Aqua crossed her arms. "He claims we can't change fate. That no matter what I do, the past will repeat itself. He refuses to help me find Terra and Ventus; heart because he says it will only ensure events happen exactly as they're supposed to."
Merlin was silent for a moment. Then, he set down his cup and said, "He is correct."
Aqua stiffened.
Her lips parted, but no words came.
Merlin sighed. "I do not know if Helios is truly from the future, but I have seen enough of how time behaves to know this. If you try to alter a destined event, your actions will only serve to ensure it happens."
Aqua shook her head. No. That couldn't be true.
She had spent years in the Realm of Darkness. All she ever clung to was the thought that she could return so that she could fix things. So that she could save them.
And now, Helios and Merlin were both telling her it was impossible.
Her fists clenched.
"There has to be something I can do," she said, her voice quiet but desperate.
Merlin's gaze softened. "My dear Aqua… I'm afraid because Helios pulled you from the Realm of Darkness, fate has shifted slightly. But I fear it will only be temporary. The Realm of Darkness will call you back eventually."
Aqua's blood ran cold.
Merlin continued. "You should prepare yourself for that eventuality."
Aqua's breathing quickened. "You're saying I'm meant to return?"
"I am saying that time does not let go so easily."
Aqua gritted her teeth.
This wasn't what she wanted to hear.
She refused to accept it.
"I won't go back," she whispered. "I won't."
Merlin gave her a sad smile but said nothing.
Aqua turned and stormed out.
Helios sat alone in the dimly lit house, his elbows resting on his knees, staring at the wooden floor.
Inside his mind, a cold voice whispered. "You hesitate."
Helios closed his eyes, "Kurai."
"You claimed my body was the highest priority," Kurai continued. "And yet, here you are, wasting time."
Helios exhaled. "Not wasting time. Preparing."
"Explain."
Helios smirked. "That's why I retrieved Hoder's heart from Olympus. It's stored safely inside my own. With this I only need a body and then one more thing you'll get what you want."
A brief pause.
Then—satisfaction.
"Good. But then I must ask—what purpose does Aqua serve?"
Helios stretched, rolling his shoulders before answering. "I've gotten this far on my own," he said, "but I need to master the Keyblade's full potential."
Kurai's voice was sharp. "For what reason?"
Helios' smirk widened. "Like I said because we need a body, and I know the perfect world to claim one from without affecting the overall story."
A beat of silence.
"You intend to travel beyond known worlds."
Helios nodded. "I can't open a dark corridor to a place I've never seen. So I need to travel the Lanes Between. I had originally planned to use the Gummi Ship but you saw how my hands were forced back in Radiant Garden."
Kurai's whisper was pleased.
"Then I see now. Aqua is necessary."
Helios leaned back, smirking to himself. Of course, she was just not fully what he let on just now. He had other personal uses for her and she could only furfill those if Kurai knew nothing so he cleared his thoughts.
A soft groan broke through the silence of the room.
Helios turned his head as Skuld stirred.
She blinked blearily, her body still sluggish from exhaustion.
Her eyes landed on him, then slowly scanned the empty room.
"Helios…where's Aqua?" she murmured, rubbing her temple.
Helios smirked. "Out getting some air."
Skuld squinted at him. "She left?"
"She'll be back soon," he said, swirling his tea. "Though… she'll probably be in a bad mood."
Skuld sat up straighter, her eyes sharpening.
She knew Helios too well. "…What did you do?"
Helios chuckled, taking another sip of tea. "Nothing. She asked me a question. I gave her an answer."
Skuld's glare intensified. "And let me guess. She didn't like the answer?"
Helios smiled. "That's one way to put it."
Skuld crossed her arms. "What did she ask?"
Helios tilted his head. "Why don't you ask her?"
Skuld scowled.
Helios continued. "See if she'll tell you—because I won't."
Skuld clenched her fists.
She was so tired of his evasiveness.
As the two fooled around in the house, nearby a small, dark portal flickered open in the far corner by the window unseen.
Through it, a shadowy, faceless figure observed Helios and Skuld.
Its form had no features only darkness like Kurai.
Silent.
Motionless.
Watching.
A brief moment passed.
Then like it was never there the portal closed.