Kingdom Hearts: Consumed by Darkness

Hecate transformed into the form that they had seen previously in the statue. Helios thought this was to make her seem more intimidating and more godly when dealing with mortals. Hecate's three faces regarded them with an unblinking stare, her throne room's chilling silence amplifying every sound—the faint crackle of starlit torches, the measured breathing of Helios, and the faint clinking of Kurai's fingers tapping her war fan.

"Oh, darlings," Hecate said at last, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness, the words wrapping around them like silk gloves lined with hidden thorns. "You've come to collect on our little arrangement, haven't you? Help me dethrone that boorish Hades, and I grant you safe passage, an audience with Hephaestus, and immunity to this dreary realm's little curse. I remember my words perfectly."

"Good," Helios said evenly. "Then you know why we're here."

Hecate leaned forward slightly, her many arms draped languidly over her throne. "And yet, I do wonder, my sweet children… after all you've done, are you truly deserving? Perhaps a final trial to prove your worth before I grant my delicious boons?"

The tension in the room spiked like a coiled serpent. Kurai's silver eyes narrowed. "A trial?" Her voice was quiet, but each syllable was icy enough to freeze the starlit flames. "Are you trying to cheat us out of our deal?"

Hecate's smirk curved upward, her three faces brimming with condescending delight. "Cheat? Oh, darling, such an ugly word. Let's call it… an embellishment. You can't expect me to hand out gifts to every brooding warrior and his moody shadow, can you?"

Kurai took a step forward, the sound sharp against the obsidian floor. "We dethroned Hades for you. If you doubt us now, perhaps you should consider whether you'll be the second god I dethrone."

The air quivered as Nemesis burst from the ground in a bloom of violet flames, her cracked mask glowing and her blazing silver eyes locked on Kurai. Her blade ignited, heat rippling off her in waves.

"You dare—" Nemesis hissed.

"Ah-ah," Hecate tutted with a wag of her finger, her tone light but her eyes gleaming dangerously. "Do be a dear and stay, Nemesis. Don't act without my leave."

Nemesis froze, her entire body trembling with restrained fury before sinking reluctantly back into the shadows.

Hecate's smirk widened. "Really, darling, threatening me? How dreadfully impolite."

Helios stepped forward, his hand had summoned and was resting lightly on the hilt of Equilibrium. His voice was calm but edged with steel. "And trying to trick the ones who brought down Hades—someone you couldn't defeat—was that polite?"

The room seemed to hold its breath.

Hecate's three faces stared them down. Her smile didn't waver, but the shadows around her throne writhed as her irritation seeped through her polished demeanor.

Then she laughed—high and melodious. "Oh, sweet child, I do love that fire of yours. Very well. A deal is a deal. One mustn't tarnish one's reputation by breaking promises, hmm? Especially as the new Goddess of the Underworld."

She snapped her fingers with theatrical flair.

The ground rumbled, and from the obsidian floor rose a massive gate, wrought of starlit iron and bone, glowing faintly with runes. Heat radiated from it in waves.

"Step through this lovely little gate," Hecate said, her voice sing-song. "It will whisk you directly to Hephaestus' Forge. Consider this the first of my delectable boons."

She snapped her fingers again. A letter appeared in a swirl of violet flame and darted toward Helios. He caught it, the parchment warm in his hand.

"A letter of introduction," Hecate purred. "My reputation is… complicated with Hephaestus, but this will ensure he doesn't toss you straight into the lava, darlings. Boon number two, complete."

She reclined in her throne as though the matter were settled. "Now, off you pop. I tire of this little exchange."

But Helios didn't budge.

"And the last prize?" he pressed, his voice polite but firm. "Permanent immunity to the Underworld's curse."

Hecate's grin stiffened, a faint crack forming in her otherwise flawless performance. "Ah, that. You certainly are persistent, aren't you, darling?"

Kurai summoned her keyblade, transformed it into the fan, and snapped it open with a chilling hiss. Her silver gaze flared. "You're stalling."

Hecate sighed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Fine. But only because I loathe uncouth squabbles in my halls."

She snapped her fingers a third time. Dark light flashed over Kurai and Helios, and both felt a deep shift within them, like invisible chains breaking.

"There," Hecate said with exaggerated sweetness. "Your immunity. The Underworld's curse will never touch you again."

Helios inclined his head. "Thank you. That fulfills our agreement."

Hecate's gaze flicked to Skuld, standing quietly behind them. A devious smirk danced across her lips. "But the ditzy girl? She wasn't part of our deal. She'll have to fend for herself."

Skuld's hand tightened on her keyblade, her jaw set.

Helios' voice hardened. "She's part of our group that should count for something."

Hecate waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, darling, must you be so sentimental? The arrangement was between myself, the dreary girl, the white haired man, and you. The little girl was never in my fine print."

Her faces darkened as one. "Now, dears, there is truly nothing left between us. Leave my Underworld before I decide I'm in the mood for sport."

Kurai's fan snapped shut. "Try, and I swear you'll be the second god I dethrone."

The air rippled violently, shadows curling like vipers, but Hecate only smirked, her tone still silky. "Such passion. Delightful. But don't let your ambition get you killed, darling."

Helios raised a hand to Kurai. "We're done here. Let's go."

"Indeed," Hecate said brightly, her sinister poise unshaken. "Do visit again… if you're feeling suicidal. I'll always be ready to welcome your souls into everlasting servitude."

As they stepped through the gate, the suffocating air seemed to lift slightly, but Helios could still feel Hecate's gaze drilling into his back like twin daggers dipped in honey.

The bargain was fulfilled. But Helios suspected this was far from their last encounter.