“Skuld,” Helios said, his voice calm but carrying an edge ency. “I need your help.”

  Skuld bliilting her head. “My help? With what?”

  He gestured toward Cloud, his tone grave. “Do you see him? His heart is damaged—broken, even. If we don’t act soon, he won’t make it.”

  Skuld’s eyes widened, and she stepped closer to the cot, looking at Cloud’s pale face. “That’s terrible,” she whispered. “What we do? Is there a spell to fix it?”

  Helios waited a few seds for dramatic pause, carefully choosing his words. “ly,” he said slowly. “The only thing that mend a broke is another heart—orong enough to stabilize it. But… it’s not without risks.”

  Skuld turo him, her expression ear. “What kind of risks?”

  Helios leaned forward, his gaze log with hers. “If we ect his heart to someone else’s, that person might feel some of his pais have a way of sharing the things we want buried without our sent. It’s a deep e, and it requires a heart full of light and passion to teract the damage that was caused.”

  Skuld’s brow furrowed, her hands g into small fists. “But… if it will save him, shouldn’t we try?”

  Helios smiled at her i willingness, as he nodded. “Your heart is not only pure but hold mupassion, Skuld. It’s untouched by even the smallest amout of darkness. If you’re willing, you might be able to help him.”

  Skuld hesitated, looking back at Cloud. Her expression was flicted, a mixture of fear and . “Will it hurt him more if I try and fail?” she asked softly.

  “No,” Helios said firmly. “If it doesn’t work, his dition won’t ge. But if it does work… you’ll be giving him a ce to survive.”

  She turned back to Helios, her eyes searg his for reassurance. “You’re sure this is the only way?”

  Helios hesitated for a fra of a sed before nodding. “It’s the best ce he has.”

  Skuld took a deep breath, her small hands trembling slightly. “Okay,” she said, her voice steady despite her fear. “Tell me what to do.”

  Helios stood, summoning his Keybde. Its gleaming form caught the dim light, and he held it over Cloud’s chest. “First, you o focus,” he instructed. “Picture your heart reag out to his. You’re not giving your heart away, just sharing a part of its strength. Draw his heart into yours. Imagine your heart ing around his and proteg him.”

  Skuld nodded, closing her eyes. Her hands hovered over Cloud, and Helios felt a faint ripple of light emanate from her. The glow grew brighter, soft rays of light extending toward Cloud’s chest.

  Helios watched ily, his heart pounding as the light enveloped Cloud. Why was he uo use light so easily. Helios thehe e f—a fragile bridge betweewo hearts. Through that bridge, Cloud’s heart exited his body aered Skuld’s.

  Cloud’s breathing evened out slightly, his color returning faintly. Skuld gasped, her hands shaking as the light dimmed, the e settling into pce.

  “It’s w,” Helios murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You’re stabilizing his heart.”

  Skuld opened her eyes, her face pale but determined. “Is it enough?” she asked breathlessly.

  “For now,” Helios replied, dismissing his Keybde. “You’ve bought him time. His heart will rest safely inside yours until we find Zack.”

  “Zack?” Skuld repeated, fusion knitting her brow.

  Helios nodded, his tone softening as he expined. “He’s the person who fully heal Cloud’s heart. Unfortunately, he’s not here. But wheime es, we’ll find him.”

  Skuld’s breath hitched as she looked between Helios and Cloud. Despite her exhaustion, a faint smile touched her lips. “I’ll keep his heart safe,” she promised quietly.

  Helios smiled as he patted her on her shoulder, “I know. For now, don’t push yourself. Rest and if you feel any pain or weird sensation inform me immediately. While I do want to help the boy I don’t want to harm or lose you.”

  Skuld nodded quietly, her gaze lingering on Cloud for a moment before turning toward Helios. “I’ll let you know if anything feels strange,” she promised, her voice soft. Then, with a faint smile of gratitude, she left the study, her steps slow but steady as she made her way to her room.

  Helios watched her go, his g expression fading to reveal a posed one. Ohe door closed behind her, he turned his attention to Cloud’s unscious body. With a small sigh, he hoisted Cloud up carefully, draping the atose man over his shoulder. “Let’s get you settled,” he murmured, his tone more to himself than to his silent panion.

  He stepped out of the study and headed toward his room, his pace deliberate and his senses heightehe momeurhe er into the dining area, however, he stopped abruptly. Sephiroth was seated at the dining table, his imposing presence filling the room despite his rexed posture. His pierg eyes met Helios’s, glinting with a quiet menace.

  Helios tightened his grip on Cloud instinctively, his expression remainiral. Sephiroth rarely left his room, and Helios khis sudden appearance wasn’t a ce. The air between them felt heavy, and Helios didn’t need Kurai’s influeo sehe tension and growing dark energy.

  “What are you up to?” Sephiroth asked, his voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable edge. His gaze dropped briefly to the unscious Cloud before returning to Helios’s face, his expression darkening.

  Helios’s heart raced, but his face betrayed none of his nerves. Instead, he smiled faintly, adopting a tone of feigned casualness. “Nothing much,” he said evenly. “Just saving both your lives. What are you up to?”

  The faint humor in his tone seemed to do little to amuse Sephiroth. The air around him darkened perceptibly, a massive wave of oppressive energy radiating from him. The shadows in the room seemed to ripple as Sephiroth’s presence grew more menag. “Do you think I’m pying with you?” Sephiroth asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “I’m in no mood for your foolish games.”

  Helios felt the overwhelming surge of darkness pressing against him like a physical force. Without hesitation, he summoned his Keybde, spinning it in a fluid motion to cast a shimmering barrier that enclosed the dining area, isoting it from the rest of the house. The radiant energy cshed with Sephiroth’s oppressive aura, creating a tense equilibrium in the space between them.

  “Let’s not destroy the house,” Helios said calmly, though his grip on his Keybde tightened. “It’s not mine and I don’t think Malefit would appreciate us waking her.”