The morning light filtered faintly through the crystalline water ceiling of Atlantis, the light refracting in brilliant blue hues that danced across the throne room floor. Despite the beauty, the air was heavy, charged with something unspoken. Helios could feel it since this was the day Rourke would attack. Earlier, as they walked, he passed the item he had informed Helga of, a simple stone, and she looked at him, confused, but still pocketed the rock, abiding by their deal.
King Kashekim sat atop his throne, his ancient form hunched but commanding. His milky white eyes stared forward, unblinking as Princess Kida and Milo stepped forward to present their findings from the murals and glyphs discovered the previous day.
"Father," Kida began, her voice steady yet brimming with excitement. "We have uncovered more of our lost history. Milo has translated the glyphs that detail how the Heart of Atlantis has been the lifeblood of our people for thousands of years. It is not only a source of power but a guardian… a spirit."
She paused and turned slightly, motioning to Helios. "And this outsider—this traveler—has shared foreign magic with us. He has reminded us that knowledge, even from beyond Atlantis, can be a gift."
Kida lifted her hands and, with practiced precision, conjured a sphere of water. It floated effortlessly, glowing softly as it morphed into the shape of an Atlantean fish and swam through the air before returning to liquid in her palms.
Milo smiled at her proudly. Helios watched from the side with his arms crossed, a faint smirk on his lips. Skuld stood nearby, hands clasped behind her back, while Kurai lingered silently, scanning the room for threats.
But Kashekim remained still, unimpressed.
"You have learned tricks and parlor shows," the king said at last, his voice deep and gravelly. "But none of this changes the truth. Outsiders do not belong here. By day's end, you will all leave Atlantis."
The room fell silent. Even Milo seemed at a loss for words.
Helios, however, felt something stir deep within the chamber. His senses, honed by countless battles and tempered darkness, prickled with unease. The Heart… it feels disturbed. He cast a quick glance at Kurai and Skuld, subtly tapping his fingers twice against his side—a signal he'd shown them before with the meaning: be ready.
Kurai and Skuld shifted their weight slightly, a faint spark of magic gathering in their palm.
The tension snapped like a drawn wire.
A sudden click echoed through the hall.
Rourke stepped forward from the line of Milo's group, his boots striking the stone floor with deliberate menace. He held his pistol high, the metal glinting in the filtered light.
"That won't be necessary, Your Majesty," Rourke said smoothly, his grin like a wolf cornering prey. "Because I've decided to extend my stay… indefinitely."
Gasps erupted from the Atlantean guards.
Kida stepped back in shock. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, come now, Princess," he said mockingly. "Surely you didn't think we came all this way just to admire the architecture and swap bedtime stories? No… I came for what's soon to be mine."
The barrel of his gun tilted toward the shimmering light radiating faintly from beneath the throne—the Heart of Atlantis pulsing gently as if sensing the danger.
Helios' eyes narrowed. For a brief second, Rourke's shadow flickered unnaturally, rippling like black fire. It wasn't much, but Helios recognized the sign. His heart… it's drawing in the darkness. A seed's already there.
Still, Helios said nothing, his expression calm as his mind raced.
Rourke raised a hand, snapping his fingers. "Move in."
The throne room's side doors burst open, and a flood of mercenaries poured in, weapons drawn. The sound of boots striking stone was deafening as they quickly surrounded the Atlantean guards, King Kashekim, Milo's group, and Helios' companions.
Kurai's eyes flared dangerously. Skuld clenched her fists, ready to summon her keyblade at a moment's notice.
Milo took a step forward, panic in his voice. "Rourke, you can't do this! The Heart isn't just some artifact to plunder—it's keeping this city alive! Without it—"
"Save me the lecture, bookworm." Rourke's smile turned cold as he aimed his pistol at King Kashekim. "The old man can tell me where the Heart's hidden, or he'll be making his final royal decree with a bullet in his head."
Kida's eyes blazed with fury as she moved to stand in front of her father. "You will not harm him!"
"Stand aside, Princess," Rourke growled. "I'd hate to ruin that pretty face of yours."
Helios raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but cutting as a blade. "Quite the plan you've got there, old man… you sure you want to play this game?"
Rourke's eyes snapped to him, his grin faltering slightly.
"You think I won't shoot you where you stand, boy?"
Helios chuckled softly. "I think you're about to realize there are forces here you don't understand."
For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.
Then Rourke sneered and motioned to his mercenaries. "Disarm them all. No heroics."
The mercenaries moved swiftly, forcing the Atlantean guards to drop their weapons. One approached Helios, only to pause when he saw the traveler's unflinching gaze.
Helios slowly raised his hands, still smirking. "Guess we're doing this your way… for now."
Kurai's hand lingered at her side. The shadows at her feet twitched like restless serpents.
But Helios caught her eye and gave the faintest shake of his head. Not yet.
Rourke turned back to the throne. "Now, Your Majesty, let's have a little chat about where you're keeping your city's glowing treasure."
King Kashekim's lips pressed into a thin line. "You will doom us all."
"That's not my problem," Rourke said coldly, his finger tightening on the trigger.
The Heart's light pulsed again, faster this time—as if it, too, felt the encroaching darkness.