As Xehanort's words echoed through the dimly lit chamber, he and Even turheir attention to the sole. Xehanort's fingers danced over the keys, entering ands that began a slow hum of maery, lights blinking to life as if awakening from a deep slumber. The dormant equipment around them surged with tent energy, illuminating the eerie glow that bathed the room in shades of green and blue. Their shadows stretched ominously across the walls, like specters watg over their dark work.

  The two men worked in silence, occasionally exging knowing gnces as they recalibrated maes and reviewed data that flickered across the monitors. They moved in sync, bound by a shared ambition that transded ordinary stific curiosity. For both Xehanort and Even, this was more than just experimentation—it was an act of defiance against the straints that Ahe Wise had imposed.

  As the maery’s hum settled into a steady rhythm, Xehanort leaned back, his gaze fixed on the tral chamber. “We’ll need a subject soon,” he said, almost to himself. “We still haven’t been able to replicate those creatures that e hearts yet. We’re missing something I just don’t know what.”

  Even raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “The townsfolk have grown wary, and with Aill overseeing his 'guardianship' of Radiant Garden, we ot risk too much attention. However, if we were to proceed with someone new, someohout a clear past…”

  Xehanort’s eyes fshed. “Helios,” he murmured, his voice ced with intrigue.

  Even looked surprised but thoughtful. “He does carry a signifit aura of darkness, yet he ceals it well. If his memories are truly lost, he might be more susceptible than others, open to influence like that young girl our master keeps within the castle Subject X.”

  Xehanort allowed a small smile. “Yes, he could be our key to uanding the liween the heart and memory. With this data, I could unlock hers and my own memories.”

  Eveated, his rational mind flickering with a rare moment of caution. “We must however tread carefully. Our teacher would not dohis path, and annoying man Merlin has taken charge of the boy.”

  Xehanort waved a dismissive hand, his expression resolute. “Merlin is a mere nuisance; he cks the vision necessary to see beyond his own narrow view. The heart holds muant potential, and it is our task to uh it. We’ll proceed carefully, but we must have the boy to tinue.”

  Even ined his head, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Then I shall make preparations. I will invite Helios to visit the castle with Cid again.”

  Helios was jolted awake by the persistent knog and muffled shouting at the door. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he stumbled out of bed, disoriented but curious. Who could be this eager to see him so early in the m?

  Yawning, he reached for the door, and as he pulled it open, he found himself face-to-face with a grinning Lea and a rather sheepish-looking Isa.

  “M, Helios!” Lea’s excitement alpable. “We’re here to keep our promise, remember? Hanging out, just like I said! You got it memorized right?”

  Isa sighed, Helios an apologetic smile. “Sorry about this. Lea thought the best way to keep his word was by waking up the entire neighborhood.”

  “Hey, I didn’t wake up the whole neighborhood! Just you,” Lea tered, then looked at Helios with a guilty grin. “Maybe just you and ahin a three-house radius.”

  Helios stifled a yawn and waved a hand. “No worries. Just give me a minute, and I’ll be ready.”

  He gestured for them to e inside, and Lea bounced in eagerly while Isa followed with his usual calm demeanor. Leaving them in the front room, Helios disappeared into his bedroom to get dressed. He chose a bd white checkered dress shirt with short sleeves and slipped on a sleeveless white hoodie adorned with intricate bck designs that formed the shape of a . After pulling on his well-worn blue jeans, frayed at the bottom from years of wear, he took a quick look in the mirror, satisfied with his outfit.

  Wheepped bato the room, Lea gave an approving whistle. “Now, that’s a good look, Helios! Way better thaerday’s,” he said with a grin.

  Isa scoffed, folding his arms with a smirk. “And suddenly Lea’s an expert on fashion. What’s ? He’s giving tips on fi?”

  “Oh, please,” Lea shot back, rolling his eyes. “I’m just saying he looks great!”

  Helios chuckled, steppiween them before their bickering got any further. “All right, all right. Let’s head out before you two start wrestling right here in the front room.”

  Ohey were outside, Helios took a deep breath, sav the air as the city began to wake up around them. “So, what’s the pn?” he asked, gng betweewo.

  Isa raised his hands in mock surrender, nodding toward Lea. “Don’t look at me. This was all Lea’s idea. He’s the one dragging us out here, so you’re better off asking him.”

  Helios turo Lea, who hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck as he searched for an answer. “Well… I, uh…” he started nervously, realizing he hadn’t thought the day through as well as he’d intended. “I figured we could show you around, you know, just… hang out. You’re new here, so there’s plenty of stuff to see…”

  Lea’s nervous rambling was clear enough for Helios to piece together the real pn—or ck thereof. He hid a smirk and nodded uandingly. “Sounds like a great idea, Lea. But how about we start by grabbing some breakfast?”

  They arrived at the cozy diner where they’d met Yuffie, and the reeted them with a friendly wave as they walked through the door. The warm smell of fresh pastries and brewing coffee filled the air, instantly making Helios realize just how hungry he was.

  As they slid into a booth by the window, Lea g Helios. “So, do you have any munny? Or, y’know, a card?” he asked, a grin creeping onto his face.

  Helios tilted his head, slightly fused. “A card? What do you mean?”

  Isa gave Lea a look before turning to Helios with a more serious tone. “Right, I guess Merlin hasn’t filled you in oails. So here’s how it works. Moogle shops are pretty much everywhere iy now. They came up with this system—a card that tracks how much munny you have. You swipe it to buy things without having to carry munny everywhere. Now, most businesses here take it too.”

  “Yeah,” Lea chimed in, leaning bad pretending to yawn. “It’s all very fasating and super b. But hey, since you don’t have a card yet, looks like breakfast is on us today!”

  Helios felt a bit embarrassed. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t usually head out much, so I didn’t even know about this card thing…”

  Isa shook his head, giving Helios a reassuring smile. “It’s no problem, really. You’re new here, so it makes sehat you wouldn’t know everything. Take it slow, figure things out as they e. There’s no rush.”

  “Exactly,” Lea added, spping Helios on the back pyfully. “What are friends for if they ’t spot each other breakfast on a while?”

  Their orders arrived soon after, each pte loaded with fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sizzling strips of ba. The three of them dug in, ughter and versation flowing easily as they eheir breakfast. Helios felt a surprising fort with them—a normalcy he hadn’t experienced sihe destru of his town Nightfall and the death of his parents.

  As they polished off the st bites, Isa wiped his mouth with a napkin and oward the door. “Right. Now that we’re fueled up, let’s head over to the Moogle shop a you set up with that card.”