Helios agreed to the Moogle's request, nodding casually as he leaned against the counter. "Sure if I come across any more of your kind," he said, "I will send them here. They'll be safe under your watch."
The Victorian-dressed Moogle saluted, its pomp and squeaky voice earnest. "Thank you, we appreciate this, kupo!"
Helios turned to Kurai. "You'll stay here with Thalen."
"Thalen?" Kurai repeated, blinking.
He pointed to the blonde-haired Nobody boy who stood quietly by the shop's inner shelves. "That's his name now. Figured he ought to have one, especially if he's going to travel with us."
Kurai's silver eyes narrowed. "Will he be useful?"
Helios smiled faintly. "Yes. He will be. Trust me."
Satisfied, Kurai turned away, her hair brushing past Thalen as she studied the racks of armor, clothes, and supplies. The boy followed her with quiet steps, like a shadow just beginning to rediscover its form.
Helios turned back to the Victorian Moogle. "Get the boy outfitted. Nothing too flashy. Something simple and functional. I'd also like something that doesn't scream 'target.'"
"Understood, kupo!"
Leaving the shop behind, Helios stepped into the perpetual night of Traverse Town. The lamps flickered softly, casting long shadows down the winding cobbled streets. Instead of directly heading to Merlin's house in the Third District, Helios veered off, taking the long way—through the Second District.
It was quieter here. Fewer people. More shadows. With the life he led these quiet moments were few and far in-between. So he liked to enjoy these peaceful moments.
He walked slowly, his hands in his pockets. He'd only known this world as a menu screen and a combat stage in his original world. Seeing it lived-in, real, was something else. Lantern light bounced off brick walls. Shop signs swayed gently. Faint echoes of people talking from above. He really liked the feel of Traverse Town and Twilight Town they were nice places in his opinion.
He passed a bench he once sat on when he first came to the Second District. The same one that he sat on as he watched Skuld and Aqua bicker about strategy. It felt like a lifetime ago although it was simply a few months ago from his perspective.
He was pulled from his thoughts by two familiar voices.
"Wait… Helios? Is that you?"
He quickly turned around and saw them—Yuffie and Aerith, walking side-by-side, both holding shopping bags. Yuffie's eyes widened, her grin blooming like a sunrise.
"Helios! Oh my god, you're alive?!"
Aerith's expression was more controlled but no less shocked. "We thought you were lost when Radiant Garden fell."
Helios blinked once, then smiled smoothly. "Yeah. Lucky break, I guess."
While inside he thought, 'Damn I didn't know they had arrived yet. It even slipped my mind to check if they were here. Oh well, now that they've seen me I'll just play along.'
They ran over—well, Yuffie ran, Aerith walked quickly—and within moments Helios was surrounded.
"You look the same," Yuffie said, looking him up and down. "Still brooding. Still wearing black and white. Still trying to act cool."
Helios chuckled. "And you're as loud as ever."
"I missed this guy," she laughed. "Where've you been? You just vanished when everything went down. Leon, Cid—we were all trying to find each other. You didn't send word."
Aerith's tone was softer. "We had to assume the worst. But… seeing you now… it's makes the heart feel at ease."
Helios tilted his head slightly. "And how've you been?"
"Busy," Aerith said. "Leon's organizing everything again for those we came with. Cid's restoring what tech we saved. Traverse Town's stable for now. We managed to rent rooms and get everyone settled."
Yuffie pouted. "And I'm stuck on patrols and food runs. Not glamorous, but someone's gotta do it."
They laughed together—like nothing had changed.
But Helios knew better.
These two still had faint memories of him. He could feel it in the way they looked at him, the way their hearts responded. He'd only erased the memories that mattered—his connection to the Skuld, Lea, and Isa. His involvement with Maleficent. That was one thing they would never be able to forgive.
"Sorry for vanishing," Helios said after a pause. "A lot happened. I ended up staying with Merlin here."
Yuffie nudged him. "Wait Merlin's here? I didn't know that, I've got to let Leon know. Anyways just don't go disappearing on us again, okay?"
He gave a vague nod. "I'll try."
"Come with us," Aerith offered. "We're headed to the café in the First District. There's a new tea blend I think you'd like."
"I have to go meet Merlin now," Helios replied gently. "Maybe another time."
They looked disappointed, but didn't argue.
"Say hi to the others for me," he added. "Tell Leon I'll stop by when I get a chance and that he should stop scowling so much."
Aerith smiled knowingly. "He won't. But I'll tell him."
Yuffie pointed a finger. "You better not go vanishing again, mister. If you do, I'm sending ninja smoke bombs after you."
"Duly noted."
They left with smiles, waving as they turned the corner.
Helios stood there a moment longer, watching their backs as they faded into the haze of streetlights.
He breathed in the air of Traverse Town—cool, nostalgic, bitter with memory. Then turned, and headed toward the Third District.
Merlin was waiting.