The walk to Merlin's house was quiet.
Aqua had agreed—hesitantly—to teach Helios and Skuld the art of Keyblade transformation. Her hesitation was due to Helios but since Merlin went out of his way to vouch for him she could only agree.
Merlin led the way, his blue robes flowing behind him as they entered the caves through the flame sigil door in the third district of Traverse Town.
The entrance was small, tucked away but once inside Skuld's eyes widened slightly. Inside a city, a door lead to a cave filled with water. Inside the cave was an island with a house. The space inside the house expanded infinitely, larger than the exterior could ever allow.
Bookshelves lined the walls, floating platforms hovered midair, and arcane symbols flickered across the ceiling in an unseen rhythm.
Helios grinned to himself. It really is bigger on the inside. He had always wanted to learn this spell, but it was nowhere to be found in Merlin's study in Radiant Garden.
Maybe there was something here he could use to learn the magic.
As they reached the center of the room, Helios suddenly lifted his hand and opened a Dark Corridor.
Aqua tensed immediately, instinctively gripping her Keyblade.
But before she could react—
Helios stepped through and returned seconds later, holding something.
In his arms were Stormfall, her keyblade… and her armor.
"…Where did you find that?"
Helios smiled slightly. "Now that's a fun question. I just so happen to find it lying around collecting dust somewhere so I took it."
Aqua's expression hardened. "This should be with Terra," she said, her voice controlled but firm.
She turned to Skuld, looking for answers.
Skuld hesitated before answering, "It… was in his room the first time I saw it. So I always assumed he had it from the start."
Aqua's jaw tightened.
Helios merely handed the armor and keyblade to her with a smile.
She took them, gripping Stormfall's hilt tightly. "…Let's begin."
Aqua stood before them, finally pushing her suspicions aside for now.
"The keyblade is an extension of one's heart," she said. "Its form is limited only by your will. Of course, this does not mean it can turn into anything, but there are other forms it can take."
She summoned Stormfall in a flash of light.
"By channeling the will inside your heart along with your magic through it, a Keyblade can transform into a glider—allowing travel through the Lanes Between."
Helios raised a brow. "You're saying that's the only transformation?"
Aqua frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Helios crossed his arms. "I once knew of a Keyblade wielder who could transform his Keyblade into different weapons. A spear. A shield. A bow. So I assumed it was the same principle."
She had never tried anything like that.
"…It should work," she admitted.
Helios grinned. "Then try it."
Aqua hesitated—but then nodded.
She closed her eyes, focusing deeply—
Her Keyblade shifted.
Stormfall's blade elongated, its metal morphing into a sleek staff with a swirling, water-like design.
A glowing, crystalline orb formed at the top, pulsating with arcane energy.
Soft ripples of water encircled the staff with each movement.
Aqua's eyes widened as a name came to mind.
"…Tidal Scepter," she whispered.
It felt natural, almost like it had been waiting to be discovered.
She twirled it once, and the air around her shimmered with magic.
Helios smirked. "So I was right."
Aqua, still in awe, dismissed the transformation and returned the blade to Stormfall's standard form. "…Your turn."
Skuld stepped forward.
Her Keyblade, Ravenveil Whisper, shimmered in her grasp.
She closed her eyes, focusing.
The Keyblade shifted seamlessly.
Its form stretched outward, twisting into a stealth-aircraft-like shape—its matte-black surface forming angular "feathered" edges, laced with electric-blue veins.
The wings were sharp, resembling a raven mid-flight, and it was almost eerily silent.
Helios whistled. "Didn't even struggle."
Aqua watched, stunned.
She was able to transform her keyblade instantly. It had taken herself, Terra, and Ventus years of training to even master this and this girl did it within seconds. It was shocking to see a genius by all definition right in front of her.
Skuld opened her eyes, surprising herself.
Then, without hesitation—
She shifted the weapon again.
This time, her Keyblade transformed into twin claws which she named, "…Zephyr Talons."
Faint blue wind trails followed each swipe as she moved them, the air cracking with razor-sharp force.
Aqua's hands clenched.
That level of mastery… was unnatural.
Like she had done this before.
But Skuld… had little memory of her past.
Helios grinned. "Well, at least one of us is making progress."
Aqua tore her gaze away from Skuld, exhaling slowly. "…Your turn, Helios."
Helios stepped forward.
He held Equilibrium in his grip.
Channel the will. Focus on the change. Become the weapon.
His Keyblade didn't change.
Aqua and Skuld watched in silence.
Helios gritted his teeth.
A voice hummed in his mind. "…It's not going to work."
"Your darkness has changed."
Helios frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"That thing… when it looked at us… it didn't just see us."
Kurai's voice became unnaturally slow. "It saw into and through us."
Helios' stomach twisted.
His fingers trembled slightly around his Keyblade. "What?"
"It knows everything, Helios. Every memory. Every thought. Every hidden thing inside of you and me. It saw it all."
Helios' breath hitched. "…And you're telling me this now?"
"There was no point in telling you before. But now, there is."
A cold weight settled in Helios' chest. "What's happening to me?"
"…Your darkness is changing. And that orb made with my power inside you?"
A long silence. "…It has fully merged into your darkness."
He placed a hand over his chest, where he had stored Hoder's heart. "Then what happens next?"
The connection wavered. "…Soon, we won't be able to talk anymore. The change is also affecting me as well. I don't know what will wake up in my place so this might be farewell."
Helios' breath slowed.
Kurai's voice was fading.
Helios clenched his fists.
For the first time since his journey began, he was losing control. Granted not everything went as planned but they were always within control however, this was the first time Helios had no idea what would happen to him.