The m began like every other for Helios—a brutal sparring session with Sephiroth that left him teetering on the brink of death. The Masamune’s uing strikes and Sephiroth’s ruthless precision had once again pushed Helios to his absolute limits. When he awoke, his body rawled on the cold floor of the purificatioer, surrounded by a pool of his own blood.

  Groaning, Helios pushed himself up, his entire body screaming in protest. His limbs trembled as he summohe st dregs of his magic to cast a series of Cure spells, the green light flickering around his battered form as it stitched his wounds together. The process was agonizing; even with healing magic, the pain lingered in his muscles and bones, a reminder of the punishment Sephiroth had inflicted.

  Once his body was somewhat stable, he moved to up the aftermath of their session. Water magic pooled under his feet, swirling around to wash away the blood that staihe floor and walls. With a flick of his wrist, the liquid formed into an orb, which he then froze into a block of crimson-tinged ice. He disposed of the block using another spell, leaving no trace of their battle behind.

  Opening a dark corridor, Helios stepped through, emerging in his own room at Merlin’s house. The shadows dissipated around him, and he immediately headed to the small bathroom to himself properly. Stripping off his torn and bloodied clothes, he stepped into the bath, the hot water stinging his raw ski out a long sigh, sinking into the soothi, the tension in his muscles slowly easing.

  By the time he dressed in fresh clothes and emerged from his room, the sun had risen, casting a warm glow over the cottage. Skuld was likely still asleep, and he preferred it that way. He had aask to attend to—finding her proper clothing. The hospital gown she wore was far too spicuous, and Merlin’s wardrobe offered little in the way of suitable options for a teenage girl.

  Helios made his way to Moogle tral, the bustling market district of Radiant Garden. The vibrant stalls and shops buzzed with activity, merts calling out their wares while townsfolk haggled and browsed. He navigated through the lively crowd, his sharp eyes sing for a clothing store.

  Eventually, he spotted a shop run by a Moogle dressed in a refined Victorian outfit, its pompom bobbing cheerfully as it greeted ers. Helios approached, nodding politely at the shopkeeper. “I need an outfit firl,” he said, his toter-of-fact. “She’s about fourteen or fifteen.”

  The Moogle tilted its head thoughtfully, its tiny hands fiddling with a pair of measuring tape slung over its shoulder. “Kupo! That’s a bit tricky without knowing her exact size,” it said, its voice cheerful yet professional. “Why don’t y her here, and we’ll find something that fits perfectly?”

  Helios nodded, uanding the logic. “Fine. I’ll be back shortly.”

  As he made his way baerlin’s house, Helios couldn’t help but feel a wave of exasperation. Of course, he should have thought of that. His fatigue from the m and the stant strain of his sparring sessioaking their toll, clouding his usually sharp mind.

  When he arrived at the cottage, he headed straight for Skuld’s room and knocked lightly. There was no answer, so he opehe door cautiously, peering inside. Skuld was sitting by the window, gazing out at the garden beyond. The soft m light bathed her in a golden glow, and she seemed lost in thought.

  “Skuld?” Helios called softly.

  Startled, she turoo quickly, bumping her head against the window with a soft thud. She winced, her hand flying to her forehead. Helios was at her side in an instant, casting Cure over her before she could protest. The faint green glow eased her pain, and she looked up at him with wide, grateful eyes.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tinged with .

  Skuld nodded sheepishly, rubbing her head. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just didn’t hear you e in.”

  Helios gave her a faint smile, motioning toward the door. “e on. We’re going out to get you some proper clothes. You ’t wear that gown anymore—it’ll draw too much attention.”

  Skuld’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she followed him eagerly. He led her to Merlin’s modest wardrobe, where a small colle of simple clothes hung. “Piething from here to wear for now,” he said. “Just something casual.”

  After a moment of deliberation, Skuld chose a pair of jeans and a bck jacket. She twirled slightly, iing herself in the small mirror. “How do I look?” she asked with a smile.

  “Perfectly fine,” Helios replied, his tone pragmatiow let’s go.” As Skuld exited the room Helios grabbed her gown opened a corridor and threw them in. It recaution in case there was a tra them.

  At the Moogle’s shop, Helios gestured for Skuld to browse the racks and choose what she liked. The little Moogle fluttered over with an eager grin. “Take your time, kupo! We’ll make sure she finds something absolutely perfect.”

  Skuld’s eyes sparkled as she explored the shop, her fingers brushing over the fabrid embellishments. She picked out a few options, and the Moogle quickly directed her to a small fitting area, its tiny wings fpping as it carried the items to the ging room.

  Helios waited outside, arms crossed, his expressioral. He could hear Skuld murmuring to herself as she tried ofits, the sound bringing a faint smirk to his lips. She was so i, so untouched by anything finding each experience amazing—it was both refreshing and somewhat uling.

  Finally, the curtain parted, and Skuld stepped out.

  Helios’s eyes widened slightly as he took iransformation. The tailored jacket fit her perfectly, the smooth gradient shifting from bck at her shoulders to a deep, shimmering blue he hem. The silver raven insignias on the jacket caught the light, glinting faintly as she moved. Beh it, she wore a dark blue turtlehat framed her face elegantly, adding a subtle touch of refi.

  Her slim bck pants hugged her legs snugly, ending just above her ankles, where small zippers added a hint of modern fir. A chiffon overy draped from her waist, flowing softly as she walked, the ethereal fabritrastiifully with the sharp lines of her outfit. Her boots clicked lightly against the floor, pleting the look with a touch of uated strength. Around her waist, a belt with a dangling silver swayed gently, the heart-shaped charm catg the dim light.

  Skuld looked up at Helios with a shy smile, her cheeks tinged with pink. “How do I look?” she asked nervously.

  Helios studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he gave a small nod, a faint smile tugging at the ers of his lips. “You look…” He paused, searg for the right word. “Perfect.”

  Skuld beamed, her earlier nervousness melting away. The Moogle cpped its tiny hands together, its pompom boung with excitement. “She looks fantastic, kupo! A perfect fit!”

  With the little money left on his card, Helios paid for the outfit, thanking the Moogle for its assistance. As they stepped out into the bustling streets of Moogle tral, Skuld couldn’t stop admiring her refle in the shop windows.

  “Thank you, Helios,” she said, her voice soft and sincere. “I’ve never had clothes like this before. I feel… special.”

  Helios g her, his expression thoughtful. “You are special,” he said simply. “Don’t fet that.” Skuld looked up at him, her eyes wide with gratitude.

  “e on,” he said after a moment, motioning for her to follow. “Let’s get back to the cottage. I’m sure you’ve still got a lot of questions to ask me.”