Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

The light of the cavern's exit spilled over Helios and Skuld as they emerged into the open air. The shift from the oppressive darkness to the fresh openness was jarring, but welcome. Helios laughed dryly, shaking his head.

"All those hours fighting and solving puzzles, and it only takes a few minutes to walk out," he muttered, glancing back at the winding path they had conquered.

Skuld wiped the sweat from her brow and offered a faint grin. "That was... something. At least it's over."

Helios nodded, but in his mind, he thought. 'If Hephaestus had gone to retrieve the Celestial Ore himself, he likely wouldn't have faced the same trials. Those monsters, traps, and the labyrinthine paths were most likely tests set by the gods, designed to challenge those who sought their favor.'

'Figures it was a test,' Helios thought. With a quiet sigh, he turned his gaze to Skuld. The trip, though tedious, had been worthwhile. Her strength had grown exponentially, and her refined skills made her an even more valuable ally. 'If nothing else, this side quest was productive.'

The forge came into view, its towering hammers and molten rivers glowing against the twilight sky. Hephaestus stood in the center of the chaos, hammering a blazing red sword that exuded power. The rhythmic clang of his hammer echoed through the forge, each strike sending sparks flying.

The god of the forge held the sword up, inspecting its craftsmanship. The weapon radiated ferocity, its aura almost tangible. 'Most likely for Ares,' Helios thought, recognizing the blade as a weapon befitting the God of War.

Hephaestus set the sword down and turned to see Helios and Skuld approaching. A surprised grin spread across his soot-covered face. "Well, I'll be. You two made it back faster than I expected. Guess you're tougher and smarter than you look."

Helios laughed dryly, reaching for the bag and pulling out the chunks of Celestial Ore they had painstakingly gathered. "Stronger, sure. Smarter? Still up for debate."

Hephaestus chuckled, taking the ore from Helios. "Well, you've earned my respect. This stuff isn't easy to get, and most don't survive the trip." He set the ore on a nearby workbench alongside other glowing ingots and materials Helios didn't recognize.

"Right, let's get to work." Hephaestus cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing like thunder.

The forge roared to life as Hephaestus prepared to craft the armor. The molten rivers around the forge brightened, their glow illuminating the tools and materials scattered about. The god grabbed a massive ladle and dipped it into the glowing ore, pouring it into the mold-shaped segmented armor pieces.

"The Celestial Ore you two gathered is the most important material in forging this armor.," Hephaestus explained, his voice booming over the roar of the forge. "This Ore is special, while you carried it, it took imprints of both of your hearts. It imprimt will shape the armor and give it form. It'll also be lightweight, self-repairing, and more durable than anything mortal hands could create."

He gestured to a series of floating anvils and hammers that moved of their own accord. With a flick of his wrist, he commanded them into motion. The tools began shaping the molten metal, their strikes precise and rhythmic. Sparks flew as the armor pieces began to take shape.

Helios and Skuld watched in awe as Hephaestus wove enchantments into the metal, his hands glowing with godly power. "This is where it gets fun," he said, grinning as he reached for a vial filled with swirling golden light.

"What's that?" Skuld asked.

"Essence of the Aether," Hephaestus replied. "This will give the armor its self-repairing properties. Without it, you'd be stuck fixing every dent and scratch."

He poured the golden light over the armor, the liquid seeping into the metal and causing it to shimmer. The pieces pulsed faintly, as if coming to life.

The first set of armor floated above the forge, its pieces assembling in midair into a sleek and symmetrical design that perfectly blended form and function. The armor was primarily black, accented with streaks of purple and white to symbolize Helios' mastery of both light and darkness. The sharp, angular helm featured a black visor that glowed faintly purple, framed by two curved silver lines that extended down the sides of the faceplate. The chestplate was made of interlocking segments with white accents, while the jagged, sharp pauldrons added an intimidating edge. The arms were plated with layered black and purple metal, with gauntlets tipped in silver claws, while the greaves were sleek and streamlined, streaked with purple along the sides. Completing the look, the boots had a clawed design that mirrored the gauntlets, and a short, tattered cape flowed from the shoulders, black with a faint purple glow at its edges.

Hephaestus gestured to the armor, which hovered before Helios. "Try it on," he said.

The armor transformed into a ring and floated over to Helios. The ring was a sleek, black band engraved with faint purple and white Recusant's Sigils that glowed softly when activated. The ring radiates a quiet power, and with a simple twist, it summons his armor in a flash of energy. Stepping forward, when Helios donned the ring. The ring glowed and shifted, encasing him in a flash of light mixed with purple electricity that turned into the armor. It was weightless, and yet he could feel its protective strength.

"Not bad," Helios said, admiring the way it fit.

The second set of armor began to take shape, distinctly different from the first with a design that shimmered like the sky before a storm, combining elegance and formidable strength. The armor was primarily silver and blue, accented with black to add depth and contrast. The sleek, aerodynamic helm featured a visor that glowed softly in blue, with edges lined in silver feathers that gave it a graceful, birdlike appearance. The intricately detailed chestplate was adorned with swirling patterns resembling wind currents, while the pauldrons extended like outstretched wings, complementing the gauntlets reinforced with silver plating. The greaves were lightweight yet sturdy, etched with flowing blue designs, and the boots carried feather-like details that reinforced the wind-inspired motif. Completing the ensemble, a flowing, translucent cape shimmered behind the armor, rippling like water caught in motion.

When the armor was complete, Hephaestus turned to Skuld. "Your turn," he said, gesturing to the floating pieces.

The second armor transformed into a bracelet and floated over. The bracelet was a delicate yet durable silver bracelet adorned with intricate blue wing patterns and a single black raven-shaped gemstone at its center. Skuld hesitated for a moment before touching the gemstone. The gemstone turned blue and pulsed with a soft blue light, activating her armor with a swirling gust of wind that enveloped Skuld. She moved experimentally, testing its flexibility.

"This is amazing," Skuld said, her voice filled with awe.

Hephaestus crossed his arms, a satisfied grin on his face. "There you have it. Two sets of armor worthy of a god."

Helios nodded, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. "Thanks. This'll make things a lot easier."

"Don't mention it," Hephaestus said, waving a hand dismissively. "Just try not to get yourselves killed. I put a lot of work into those. It'd be a shame if my masterpieces didn't get to see much of the world."

Helios and Skuld exchanged a glance before bowing slightly in thanks.