Helios’s smirk faded, his expression hardening as he met Kurai’s gaze head-on. “Nothing’s ged,” he said firmly. “But this isn’t about what I want anymore—it’s about what’s necessary. I ’t afford to risk my cover by going there myself, and I need eyes ihat castle. This is the only way.”

  Kurai’s form pulsed, its voice dropping to a low, almost acg tone. "You’ve always justified your as as necessary, but now you’re crossing a line. You used to want to avoid harming these people, yet here you are, willing to manipute them like chess pieces. Is that really who you’ve bee?"

  Helios leaned fain, his gaze cold and unwavering. “If Cid gets hurt, it’s on me. But I’m not asking you to harm him, only to guide him. A temporary possession, nothing more.”

  Kurai remained silent for a moment, its shadowy form shifting like smoke. Finally, it spoke, its toinged with relut amusement. "I’m starting to like this part you, Helios. Very well. I’ll do as you ask—for a price."

  Helios’s smirk returhough there was no humor in it. “What do you want?”

  Kurai’s form rippled, the shadows around it deepening. "I’ll ha," it said smoothly. "But in exge, all I ask is that you make your promise to me your priority. It’s a first for me but I now find this form limiting."

  Helios’s smirk deepened as he nodded, agreeing to Kurai’s terms. “Fine,” he said smoothly. “Ohis is done, your request bees my highest priority. Now, let’s move. We’ll find Cid ahis over with.”

  Pig up the disk, Helios extended his hand, summoning a dark corridor. The swirling shadows coalesced into a doorway, its edges shimmering faintly. “After you,” he said, his voice carrying a faint trace of sarcasm as he motioned for Kurai to follow.

  The shadowy entity gave no respos form shifting like smoke. “How siderate of you,” Kurai murmured before slipping through the corridor, its inky presence barely disible against the dark backdrop. Helios followed close behind, the corridor sealing shut behind them.

  They emerged in Cid’s workshop, the air heavy with the st of mae oil and faintly acrid from the hum of electrical pos. The space was cluttered with tools, half-finished projects, and glowing monitors dispying lines of code and schematics. Cid was seated at a desk, his back to them as he fiddled with a small, intricate device.

  Helios turo Kurai, his voice barely a whisper. “You know what to do. Make him see me as Ansem.”

  Kurai’s form pulsed faintly, then surged forward in a silent wave. It merged seamlessly into Cid’s body, disappearing pletely. For a moment, Cid’s movements faltered, his head tilting slightly as if listening to something distant. Theurned, his eyes clear and focused, now seeing Helios as Ahe Wise.

  “Well, this is a surprise,” Cid said, his voice warm and respectful. “Your Majesty, what brings you here at this hour?”

  Helios suppressed a smirk, adopting a calm, authoritative demeanor befitting the figure he was impersonating. “Cid,” he began, his toeady and posed, “I need your help. There’s a matter that requires discretion—something I fear my apprentices may be involved in.”

  Cid’s brows furrowed in . “Your apprentices? What kind of matter are we talking about?”

  Helios stepped closer, holding up the disk between his fingers. “I believe they may be engaging in activities that could be... uhical. I ck evideo front them directly, but if my suspis are correct, they may be hiding something within the castle.”

  Cid’s frown deepened as he set the devi his hand aside. “That’s a serious accusation, Your Majesty. What I do to help?”

  Helios extehe disk toward him. “Take this,” he said firmly. “It tains a program that will s the castle’s systems for any irregurities. The ime you’re called to the castle, I need you to install it discreetly. It will gather the information we need without raising suspi.”

  Cid hesitated for a moment, taking the disk but eyeing it warily. “You’re askio sneak into the castle’s systems. That’s ly my area of expertise, Your Majesty.”

  Helios offered a reassuring smile. “That’s why I’ve enlisted the help of a young man—Helios. He has already proven resourceful and trustworthy. He’ll assist you by creating a distra wheime es, ensuring you have the opportunity to install the program without interference.”

  Cid tilted his head, his expression puzzled. “Helios? The d staying with Merlin? I didn’t realize you were w with him.”

  Helios nodded, maintaining his posed fa?ade. “I’ve entrusted him with this task because I believe in his capabilities. You yourself with the details—he will ensure everything goes smoothly.”

  Under Kurai’s influence, Cid’s initial skepticism melted away. He nodded, slipping the disk into his pocket. “Alright,” he said, his voice steady. “If you trust something this important to the kid, then I’ll trust him too. When the opportunity arises, I’ll do what you’ve asked.”

  Helios offered a slight bow, his voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Cid. Your assistan this matter is invaluable.”

  As Cid turned back to his desk, Helios took a step back, his expression cool. With Kurai’s possession ensuring Cid’s pliahe pn was moving forward as intended. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment.

  Kurai’s voice echoed faintly in Helios’s mind as he stepped through another dark corridor, leaving the workshop behind. “Iing, isn’t it? The ease with which mortals be... persuaded.”

  Helios smirked faintly, his amber eyes glinting in the dim light of the corridor. “As long as it gets the job done and he remains safe, I don’t care how it happens.”

  Kurai chuckled, a low, sinister sound that lingered in Helios’s thoughts. “Just remember, Helios, every pawn you move leaves a trail. Make sure you’re not the o exposed when the game ends.”

  Helios’s smirk faded, his expression growing serious. “I’m aware. Now focus on your part. I’ll hahe rest.”