Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

The arena trembled as Hades stood from his throne, his flame-like hair flaring brightly. The God of the Underworld spread his arms wide, his booming voice echoing through the Underdrome.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and dearly departed! For the final act of tonight's spectacle, you'll get to witness something truly historic." He pointed toward Helios and Sephiroth, a wicked grin stretching across his face. "That's right, folks. I'm gonna personally handle these two clowns! Don't blink, or you might miss their spectacular demise!"

Helios wasn't listening. His attention was on Vincent's unconscious form, his crimson cloak and golden gauntlet a glaring reminder of how out of place he was in this world. Helios quickly retrieved the small, golden mirror Zeus had given him. The mirror gleamed faintly, its intricate lightning bolt design catching the dim light of the arena.

Sephiroth noticed Helios kneeling beside Vincent and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"Buying us a way out," Helios muttered, prying open Vincent's eyes with one hand while holding the mirror in the other.

The mirror's surface shimmered, drawing in the faint glow of Vincent's crimson gaze. A pulse of energy surged through the artifact, the reflection rippling like water before returning to its still, golden sheen.

Helios breathed a sigh of relief. This'll be enough to prove it to Zeus.

"Are you done?" Sephiroth asked, his tone impatient.

Helios stood, tucking the mirror away. "Yeah, yeah. You're welcome, by the way." He turned to Sephiroth, his expression grim. "So, what's your plan? Because if it's taking him down in this state, we're royally screwed then."

Sephiroth glanced at Hades, who was still busy grandstanding to the crowd, then back at Helios. "Do you have anything left to give?"

Helios shrugged, exhaustion weighing heavy on his shoulders. "Not really. Which is why my plan is to run."

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "Cowardice?"

"Survival," Helios corrected, stepping closer. "Think about it: we're spent. This curse is eating us alive, and Hades is a god. We can't win this fight, but we might be able to outrun him. Barely."

Sephiroth didn't respond immediately, his gaze hardening as he considered their options.

Before either could say more, Hades disappeared from his throne in a puff of black smoke, reappearing on the arena floor before them. His grin widened as he cracked his knuckles, flames licking at his hands. "All right, kiddos. Playtime's over."

Hades wasted no time, spraying a torrent of flames across the platform. Helios and Sephiroth leapt in opposite directions, narrowly avoiding the searing fire. The heat was intense, even from a distance, and the acrid smell of burning stone filled the air.

"Split up!" Helios shouted, summoning Aero to shield himself as another wave of flames swept toward him.

Sephiroth didn't need to be told twice. He teleported to the far side of the arena, reappearing behind Hades and slashing downward with Masamune. The blade met resistance as Hades turned, his arm engulfed in fire as he caught the sword mid-swing.

"Cute trick," Hades said, his grin unfaltering. With a surge of strength, he shoved Sephiroth back, flames erupting from his hands and forcing the swordsman to retreat.

Helios seized the opening, firing a Water at Hades. The torrent streaked across the arena, but Hades waved a hand, summoning a Flare that intercepted the attack. The resulting steam explosion sent Helios stumbling backward, the shockwave rattling his already frayed nerves.

"Is that all you've got?" Hades taunted, launching a series of Fireball Pitch attacks. The fiery projectiles arced through the air, their heat singeing Helios' skin even as he dodged.

Helios clenched his fists, his mind racing, 'We're not going to last long like this.' Gritting his teeth, he made a decision.

"Sephiroth!" he shouted, running straight toward the flames with reckless abandon.

"What are you doing?" Sephiroth called back, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Helios ignored him, diving through the wall of fire. Pain lanced through his body as the flames scorched his skin, but he pushed forward, summoning the blade of light from his split keyblade.

"Surprise, you overgrown torch!" Helios yelled, thrusting the glowing blade forward.

The light exploded outward, momentarily blinding Hades. The god staggered, cursing loudly.

Helios used the opening to summon Blizzaga, pouring all his remaining magic into the spell. The icy projectile struck Hades square in the chest, frost spreading across his fiery form and encasing him in a layer of shimmering ice.

"Sephiroth, now!" Helios screamed, his voice hoarse because his throat was burned.

Sephiroth didn't hesitate. In one fluid motion, he sheathed Masamune and grabbed Helios, hoisting him into the air as his single black wing unfurled behind him. With a powerful beat of his wing, Sephiroth took to the skies, his speed and teleportation propelling them toward the arena's edge.

The crowd of souls groaned in protest as the two fighters fled, their cries echoing through the arena.

They had almost reached the exit when a deafening roar filled the air. A pillar of red-hot flames erupted from the frozen Hades, shattering the ice and sending molten shards flying. The flames shot upward, scorching the ceiling of the Underworld and bathing the arena in a hellish light.

Hades emerged, his form wreathed in fire and his expression twisted in fury. "Oh, you're not getting away that easy!"

The god disappeared in a flash of black smoke, reappearing ahead of them to block their path.

Sephiroth veered sharply, his wing beating furiously as he dodged another spray of flames from Hades. Helios clung tightly to him, his vision swimming from exhaustion and pain.

"We can't outrun him forever!" Helios shouted over the roar of the wind and fire.

"Then come up with something," Sephiroth snapped, his tone icy.

Helios closed his eyes, his mind racing despite the haze of fatigue. Think, Helios. You need a plan. Something big.

He opened his eyes, focusing on the dark ceiling above. "Take us higher," he said suddenly.

"What?" Sephiroth asked, glancing at him.

"Just trust me!"

Sephiroth growled but obeyed, ascending rapidly as Hades followed, throwing fireball after fireball in their direction.

When they were high enough, Helios raised his keyblade, channeling the last of his strength. "Hold him off for just a second!"

Sephiroth nodded, spinning in mid-air to face Hades. He unleashed a flurry of Shadow Flares, the dark orbs exploding around the god and forcing him to slow his advance.

Helios focused, combining his light and dark energies. The two opposing forces swirled around him, crackling with unstable power.

"Hades!" Helios shouted, drawing the god's attention.

Hades looked up just as Helios unleashed the combined energy in a massive blast. The attack struck the ceiling of the Underworld, causing the stone to crack and crumble.

"Sephiroth, go!" Helios yelled.

Sephiroth didn't hesitate. He dove downward, weaving through the falling debris as Hades screamed in frustration, the collapsing ceiling forcing the god to retreat momentarily.