The past tassed in a wele lull, the calm punctuated only by the faint hum of magic during Helios’ lessons with Malefit and the quiet focus of his study sessions with Skuld. Malefit’s teag had bee even morous, her sharp eyes and biting words ensuring Helios honed his trol over dark magic. But he could feel himself improving, his spells being sharper, more refined.

  In the evenings, Skuld joined him, her enthusiasm for learning a refreshing trast to Malefit’s harsh demeanor. Together, they worked through spells and teiques, Helios guiding her while simultaneously practig the plex transmogrification spell. Skuld had quickly mastered the light spell he had taught her earlier and had since moved on t on magical trol—adjusting the power of her spells with precision. She used the light spell as a safe practice tool, creating tiny pinpricks of light one moment and massive, sun-like orbs the .

  Ohird m, Helios was iudy, p over his book as usual. Skuld entered quietly, sitting across from him. Helios gnced up, expeg her to start practig her magic as she usually did, but instead, she sat still, fidgeting with her hands. Her unusual behavior caused him to set the book down, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

  “Something on your mind?” he asked, his tone calm but inquisitive.

  Skuld hesitated, her fiwisting together as she gathered her thoughts. Finally, she looked up at him, her nervousness evident in her wide eyes. “Helios… I go see Isa aoday?”

  Helios blinked in surprise. With everything that had happened—Braig’s attack, the i with Xehanort and the apprentices—he had almost fotten the e Skuld shared with Isa and Lea. Part of the reasorusted him in the first pce was because he’d told her he was friends with them. He realized now that keeping her cooped up without seeing them might make her start questioning things.

  “Sure,” he said after a moment’s thought, his voice steady. “But there’s something I o give you first.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bck neckce. At the ter of the hung a delicate raven-shaped pendant, its surface glossy and smooth. Skuld took it from him with curious hands, her firag the intricate design.

  “It’s ented,” Helios expined. “The people at the boratory are still looking for us. If you go out, there’s a ce they might reize you. This neckce will prevent that. I’ve bined an illusion spell, the hex of fetfulness, and parts of the transmogrification spell into it. When you’re wearing it, people won’t notice you unless you want them to, and even if they do, they’ll see someone else entirely.”

  Skuld’s eyes widened as she held the neckce up, marveling at the craftsmanship. “It’s incredible,” she whispered. “You made this?”

  Helios nodded. “I’ve been w on it as practice for something simir I pn to make for myself. This is the prototype so I’m giving it to you. The spell doesn’t physically ge your appearahat’s beyond my skill right now—but it alters how people perceive you. You’ll look and sound like someone else to anyone who sees you.”

  He leaned forward, his expression serious. “But you must wear it every time you go outside. If you don’t, you’ll be vulnerable and they’ll find you. Uand?”

  Skuld nodded firmly, her fingers clutg the neckce tightly. “I uand. Thank you, Helios.”

  He gave her a small, approving nod before standing and closing his book. “Alright, let’s get going. Isa and Lea usually hang out he marketp the ms. We’ll start there.”

  Helios and Skuld made their way to the marketpce, the bustling energy of Radiant Garden alive around them. The sun bathed the cobblestoreets in a warm glow, and the cheerful chatter of townsfolk filled the air. Skuld adjusted the raven pendant hanging around her neck, the ented neckce keepirue appearance hidden fr eyes. Helios’s sharp gaze swept the area as they walked, ever-vigint for any sign of danger.

  When they reached the market square, it didn’t take long to find Isa ahe two boys were near a fruit stall, their animated versation peppered with Lea’s exaggerated haures. Helios and Skuld approached them, but the instant Lea noticed Helios, his expression twisted into a mixture of surprise and irritation.

  “Well, well,” Lea said, crossing his arms and narrowing his green eyes. “Look who decided to show his face. What’s the matter, Helios? Too busy with your shiny new friend to remember the old ones?”

  Isa, though less outwardly expressive, mirrored Lea’s se with a quiet gre. “You’ve been avoiding us,” he said simply, his voice cold.

  Helios’s patience, already worn thin from the weight of ret events, snapped. Without a word, he raised his hand, muttering a soft intation under his breath. A faint shimmer of light surrounded Lea and Isa, and for a brief moment, their eyes widened as the spell took hold.

  The illusion that masked Skuld’s true appearance dissolved like a mirage. For the first time, Lea and Isa saw her for who she really was—the girl they’d known and cared about. Skuld’s dark hair, warm brown eyes, and unmistakable smile were revealed to them in full crity.

  The spell faded as quickly as it had been cast, and the illusiourned, hiding Skuld once more. Lea and Isa both stared at her, their expressions a mixture of shod disbelief.

  “Did I… did I just see what I think I saw?” Lea asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Isa’s normally stoic demeanor cracked, his eyes wide. “X?” he murmured, almost as if he didn’t dare believe it.

  Skuld stepped forward, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. “It’s me,” she said softly. “It’s really me.”

  For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, with a whoop of joy, Lea darted forward, pulling Skuld into a tight hug. “I ’t believe it!” he excimed. “You’re really here!”

  Isa’s rea was more reserved, but the relief and happiness in his eyes were unmistakable. He stepped closer, his voice quieter but no less heartfelt. “We thought we’d lost you. Security at the castle got so strict we could e to see you and when we finally did you were missing.,” he said.

  Skuld ughed, a sound filled with pure, unfiltered joy. “I missed you both so much,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find you sooner.”

  Lea pulled back from the hug, his hands still on her shoulders as he gri her. “You’ve got some expining to do, missy. Where’ve you been hiding? I want to hear it all.”