Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Above them, Mount Olympus loomed closer, its towering peaks shrouded in swirling clouds. Skuld held tightly to Helios' arm, her knuckles white. "Are you sure this thing is safe?" she asked, her voice a mix of wonder and unease as the cloud gently soared through the skies.

Helios smirked, his grip steady on Aqua's Keyblade armor, still wrapped securely in a blanket. "Zeus doesn't strike me as the type to hand out faulty rides. Relax we'll be fine."

The cloud continued its smooth ascent, guided by golden light. Soon, the dense mist of the clouds gave way to a massive open space. A sprawling plateau rested high above the mountain peaks, glowing faintly under an eternal twilight sky. At its center stood a grand forge carved into the mountainside, its architecture ancient yet alive with energy. Rivers of molten metal glowed bright orange, their heat palpable even from a distance. Towering anvils and colossal hammers were scattered throughout the area, moving autonomously as if controlled by unseen hands.

Skuld's eyes widened at the sight. "This is incredible. Is that… Hephaestus' Forge?"

Helios nodded, stepping off the cloud as it gently came to a halt near the entrance. "This is where the gods craft their tools. And now, it's our turn."

As they approached the forge, the faint sound of rhythmic hammering echoed through the air. The ground vibrated faintly with each strike, the reverberations carrying a deep, primal power.

Standing at the center of the forge was Hephaestus himself. The god of fire and craftsmanship was an imposing figure, his muscular frame covered in soot and his fiery purple-red beard glowing faintly in the forge's light. His right leg was encased in a silver brace that looked like a column pillar, but it didn't slow him down as he raised a massive hammer and brought it down on the glowing bolt of lightning before him. Sparks flew in all directions, briefly illuminating his intense, focused expression.

"Hey!" Helios called, his voice carrying across the forge.

Hephaestus paused, his hammer stilling mid-swing. He turned to face them, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of the two visitors. His voice was deep and gruff. "Mortals? Haven't had one of your kind visit in a while."

Helios stepped forward, holding up Aqua's armor. "We're not here for sightseeing. Zeus sent me. I have a request."

The mention of Zeus made Hephaestus raise an eyebrow. He set his hammer aside and crossed his massive arms. "Zeus sent you, huh? Must be important if the big guy's getting involved. Speak your piece."

Helios unwrapped the blanket, revealing the active form of Aqua's Keyblade armor. Its intricate design shimmered faintly, the metallic surface reflecting the forge's light.

"This armor," Helios began, "was created to protect its wearer from the darkness in the Lanes Between. But we need something more. I want two sets crafted—one for myself, and one for my friend here." He gestured toward Skuld.

Hephaestus stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he examined the armor. "This is well-made but its craftmanship is not of this world," he muttered, running a hand over its surface. "Whoever crafted this knew what they were doing. But you're asking for more than just a replica, aren't you?"

Helios nodded. "I need the armor to do more than just protect us from darkness. It needs to increase our defense, self-repair if it's damaged, and integrate seamlessly into our clothing like this one does."

Hephaestus let out a low whistle, his expression thoughtful. "You're asking for a lot, mortal. This isn't something I can whip up in a day. It'll take time, and I'll need a certain material—a special one."

"What kind of material?" Helios asked.

Hephaestus pointed toward the distant molten rivers flowing through the forge. "First, I'll need Celestial Ore, found only in the caverns below Mount Olympus. It's rare, tough, and infused with equal part divine and underworld energy. Perfect for what you're asking."

He turned back to Helios, his eyes gleaming with a mix of challenge and curiosity. "But there's a catch. The caverns aren't exactly friendly. You'll have to deal with whatever's lurking down there. Think you're up for it?"

Helios smirked, his confidence unwavering. "I didn't come all this way to back down."

Skuld glanced at him, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "We'll handle it. Just tell us where to go."

Hephaestus grinned, a deep, rumbling laugh escaping him. "I like your spirit. The entrance to the caverns is near the base of the forge. You'll need to fight your way through and bring back enough ore for me to work with. Do that, and I'll craft the armor you're asking for."

He stepped back, retrieving his hammer and returning to his work. "Now, off you go. The forge waits for no one. I'll get the other stuff ready and make a mold while I wait."

Helios and Skuld exchanged a glance before heading toward the cavern entrance. The path was steep and winding, lit by faintly glowing crystals embedded in the rock walls. The air grew colder as they descended, and the distant sound of growling hinted at the dangers awaiting them.

"Any idea what we're walking into?" Skuld asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her weapon.

Helios shrugged. "Monsters, traps, maybe a test or two from the gods. You know, the usual in these types of situations."

Skuld rolled her eyes. "Great. Why do I feel like this is going to be more complicated than you're letting on?"

Helios chuckled, his tone light. "Because it probably will be. Now are you ready?"

Skuld drew her weapon, her resolve firm. "Let's get this over with."

As they entered the caverns, the walls seemed to close in around them, the dim light casting eerie shadows. The ground was uneven, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnels.

It didn't take long for the first challenge to appear. A low growl echoed from the darkness ahead, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. A massive creature emerged—a stone golem, its body glowing faintly with molten cracks.

Helios smirked, raising his Keyblade. "Looks like Hephaestus wasn't kidding about this place being unfriendly."

Skuld stepped forward, her stance steady. "Let's take it down. I don't want to waste too much time here. We've got a forge to get to."