Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

The sky above shimmered like twilight frozen in place—neither day nor night. A thin breeze stirred the air, making the starlight glint across the floating island where the Mysterious Tower stood, crooked and surreal in its structure.

The golden-brown spire twisted upward like a spiral dream, its blue turret roofs sparkling with glowing crescent moons and stars. Trees lined the island's perimeter in quiet stillness, their leaves occasionally brushing against each other with whispers no one answered.

With a burst of light, a portal opened near the gate.

Aqua stepped through, her keyblade and keyblade armor dissolving in her hand as she surveyed the familiar tower with cautious reverence. Behind her, Skuld followed, her armor also dissolving as she exited, gaze darting across the landscape.

"…So this is it," Skuld murmured. "It's really a strange place."

Aqua gave her a small smile. "Yes, I thought the same when I first came here. I've only ever been here twice before."

Skuld shook her head. "That must have been intersting. You should tell me the story later. I've only heard stories from Merlin—he warned me about this place. Helios did too they said coming here could mess with the timeline."

"Maybe," Aqua said lightly, walking forward. "But with the way things are, not coming here might be the real risk."

Skuld frowned, falling into step beside her. "You really think this Master Yen Sid will help us?"

"If anyone can understand what's going on and what we should do … it's him. He knows the balance between light and darkness better than anyone else."

The massive doors opened with a low rumble as they approached, and the two stepped into the tower's base chamber—a round room bathed in gold and shadow, with a spiraling staircase lining the perimeter, curling upward into infinity.

"Looks... the same," Aqua said, almost to herself.

Skuld followed her up the stairs in silence, boots tapping rhythmically on the stone. As they climbed, the path changed—floating stairs twisted midair, leading them across space-bending arcs. They passed a glowing portal and two symmetrical doors: one marked with a shining crescent moon, the other with a radiant star.

"Moon Chamber… Star Chamber…" Skuld whispered, pausing. "This place is so mysterious. Hey, I sense magic coming fo here. Is there a spell cast on those doors? What does it do?"

"Yes, you're right," Aqua replied. "The chambers glow if darkness is near. But they're quiet now. That's a good sign."

They kept climbing until the last stair, a straight, steep ascent that brought them to the top level—the Study of Master Yen Sid.

It was a vast room, towering with shelves crammed full of books and arcane tomes. A globe floated in the air near a table cluttered with scrolls and quills. Faint motes of starlight drifted through the air.

And seated behind the grand desk—his long grey beard parted neatly, eyes intense beneath thick brows, conical hat glowing with celestial symbols—was Yen Sid himself.

He looked up slowly, brows furrowing as the two approached.

"Aqua," he said, voice deep and resonant. "You've returned. I feared the worst had happened to you."

Aqua bowed slightly. "Yes, Master Yen Sid. I'm sorry for appearing unannounced. But we had no choice."

He examined her carefully, then nodded once. "Nonsense there is no need to apologize. I am glad to see that you're okay. Your disappearance was a grave wound in the weave of events. Mickey and I believed you lost."

"I nearly was," Aqua admitted. "I was trapped in the Realm of Darkness. I wanted to come back. Every day, I tried, but I'm here now. And… things are more complicated than ever. Oh, this is my friend Skuld she helped rescue me from the Realm of Darkness."

Yen Sid turned his gaze to Skuld. "It is a pleasure to meet you Skuld. A keyblade wielder who has such a strong light held within their hearts is a rare thing. However, I sense you've both come in contact with a powerful source of darkness. You seem destined to walk a precarious path."

Skuld shifted nervously, hands gripping her sleeves. "It's nice to meet you, sir. Darkness… that must be Helios. That's why we came."

Yen Sid nodded slowly, gesturing for them to sit in the chairs before his desk. "Very well. Then tell me what you've seen. I shall do my best to help."

Aqua began to explain—everything from the state of the other worlds to the rise of Maleficent's new Heartless legions Skuld experienced and the series of events she experienced up til now. She mentioned Helios, his claim to be from the future, how he could use the power of darkness, and his letter about Sleeping Worlds.

Yen Sid listened without interrupting, but his frown deepened with every word.

"…And so now," Aqua concluded, "we need to find him and demand some answers. To prevent the worst."

There was silence.

Then Yen Sid exhaled, folding his hands atop the desk. "Hmm, this is worrying, but if what this young man said is true then, yes, you cannot go against time. The fact that he was the one who led to your liberation means either this was always meant to happen or that this is an anomaly that will work on correcting itself. Regardless you've done well to come here, but know this—intervening further may cement things you wish to change."

Skuld swallowed hard. "We understand. But… if we do nothing, won't we regret having never having even tried at all?"

Yen Sid's eyes narrowed. "Indeed. That is the paradox we face. Try to change the future knowing it is meaningless or accept fate and live in regret."

A tense quiet fell again.

And then—

Skuld's breath caught.

Her spine stiffened as a cold, malevolent chill passed through her. It was sharp, suffocating—a silent pressure from far away.

She gripped the chair, gasping slightly.

Aqua turned sharply. "Skuld?!"

"I—I felt something," Skuld said. Her voice trembled, pupils dilated as she turned pale. "Darkness. It was… overwhelming. Like a tidal wave… then it was gone."

Yen Sid's gaze sharpened instantly. "You are certain?"

Skuld nodded, wiping cold sweat from her brow. "Yes. Just for a second."

Aqua stood and looked toward the window. "Was it a Heartless?"

"No…" Skuld whispered. "It felt like… someone familiar. Someone—"

She stopped herself.

Helios.

But that made no sense.

The darkness she sensed was multiple times greater and stronger than what she had sensed from Helios before.

Her heart fluttered uneasily.

She looked to Aqua, but the older keyblade wielder was already on edge. There was no need to inform her and cause her already strained relationship with Helios to deteriorate even further.

And somewhere, in the darkness between worlds, Kurai was drawing near.