Stardustblade358

- Helios & Arthur Something - /w everyone else - Isopolis: City of Isolation - Helios would see the weapon being thrown straight at him. The adrenaline of the moment was rushing across his body, the tingling sensation making the ends of his thumbs numb. He had never met Nergal until this moment. This would be their first meeting and he would make it sure that it would be their last. As the weapon reached towards him, Helios would spin, dodging the incoming blade. It didn't stop it from cutting into his skin as it skimmed right past him, blood being drawn even against the scales. The explosion would occur right after, taking Helios by surprise. It sent him off course, flying back, but that didn't stop his momentum. If anything, it only helped him. He would roll back, his eyes glowing as the smoke covered him once more. From the smoke, a new creature literally rolled out and straight towards Nergal. It was a crystal basilisk, rolled up as the bladed crystals on it's back would cut anything that came in its path. It was energy consuming to transform mid movement, but he was getting better at it. Besides, the adrenaline was still kicking and making him going. He was yet to collapse...not yet at least. They had the whole world below and above on their shoulders. They couldn't fail. The energy that was once Arthur would merely hang around, neither helping nor condemning either side. Instead it would merely watch over the group that remained behind and away from the action, brilliant blue eyes made out of sparks standing tall with the figure in the shape of what was once a young, proud knight. He didn't even have his sword any longer. He was just balancing between existing and not...even when the sight of the princess made his sparks glow ever bit brighter before dimming again.

- Helios & Arthur Something - /w everyone else - Isopolis: City of Isolation - Helios roared as he charged at Yevgeni. He would charge past him as he dodged his attack, curling back as he watched the situation. This was a whole mess. Everyone was scattered and their goals all over the place. Sure, they all wanted this to end; but in many different ways. Especially with Jynn and Eclaire focused on revenge over the objective that they came here for. He narrowed his eyes at Yevgeni and at Nergal before snapping his head at the two avenging warriors. He doubted that he could stop them from fighting against Yevgeni, but they could adapt to the situation instead. His eyes turned to the source of life, following it's movements as it was handed over to Nergal. "Jynn! Eclaire! Keep Yevgeni busy!" He yelled, eyes narrowing. "We need to get the source of life! As long as they have it, they have the leverage!" Helios yelled, his voice hissing as his claws dug against the stone beneath. Was that even the real source of life? Hell if he knew. But it was all they had, isn't it? Helios would charge straight at Nergal. His mouth was open, going in for a bite. His claws aiming at his body. They had come so far. They couldn't give up now. The mysterious energy seemed to float over to Alex. He seemed so familiar. He feels nothing. There is nothing to feel. So why did he kept remembering his voice and smile over and over again?

- Helios & Arthur Something - /w everyone else - Isopolis: City of Isolation - Helios didn't stop his stride, carefully stepping aside past Jynn and the other attacking members. "You killed a whole world, Yevgeni." Helios hissed, bearing his teeth. His own eyes had a hard time controlling the shape of his iris, flickering between normal and any other beast that was possible for him. "Millions of innocent lives have perished! Centuries of history and evolution! A whole world! What had to be done?! Bullcrap!" Helios yelled. "You hide behind false hopes and goals to justify your selfish means to an end!" He was furious. Appalled. Even as every fiber of his being screamed to claw through...he retained his control when otherwise he wouldn't have. "A whole world for the sake of a single person." Helios wondered of it all. Maybe the source of all life wasn't so magical after all? Maybe it was an exchange. A life for a life. Regardless...it meant no Justice for a selfish gain. His eyes would focus on the source of life in his hands, growling loudly. They needed to get a hold of it. He walked over to Jynn, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Jynn. The source." Helios spoke, looking up at him. "We have to aim for the source. We take that away from him, he's powerless." He insisted. It was a start, at least. As for himself...well, he had lots of energy left. He focused, smoke surging from his mouth as it covered him. It only took a few seconds for a roar to erupt from it, Helios dashing across in the shape of the familiar white dragon from once in the battlefield. This shape felt familiar. But why couldn't he remember? Regardless he charged right at Yavgeni, bearing his teeth and claws as he swung his tail towards Nergal.

- Helios & Arthur Something - /w everyone else - Isopolis: City of Isolation - It was another world all on its own. Standing in eternal twilight, ruins of what could have been a once grand city standing tall beneath them. Time is nonexistent, and neither seems to be life or death. But they could be wrong, because they were still mortal, after all. Helios would admire his surroundings before looking around. Aura, Henry, where they all there? He could see them, most of them were there...but it was obvious that something was wrong. Terribly wrong...and he couldn't figure out why, even as it nagged at his head. "Henry?" Helios asked, his tone soft. Why couldn't he feel his warmth anymore? Why was the life in his eyes gone, even as he stands tall alongside them? It was terrifying. His attention turned to Aura, quickly grabbing a hold f her hands. She seemed alright. Everyone else seemed...like they could have been better long ago. Yet that wasn't the end. The two bodies that lay before them. A human and...and the witch. His eyes widened, his whole body shaking as he approached Midnea. There she was. The one that had made his life hell. That had experimented on him, that had used him as a tool for her own selfish goals...dead. He should feel happy. Thrilled. Absolutely alleviated! The witch was dead!...then why didn't it feel like that? Why did it feel like nothing had changed? That her death brought nothing? He was glad. Of course he was. This was something to be happy about, even if it was the death of someone...but why didn't it release the pressure off his chest like he always imagined it would? But that had to be an answer for another time. His attention fell on Yevgeni. "No...how..." Helios whispered, standing on his feet. He could only watch as the Fey would contain Source of All Life within his hands, using it for himself...and like that it was gone. Everything they had done. Everything they had sacrificed...was all for nothing- "NO!" Helios screamed, his voice practically shattering as he watched it disappear...this was the end, wasn't it? All that they had done was for nothing! They had lost! Yevgeni would have his way and every life lost in this whole war would have been in vain- No. He refused. This couldn't be the end. He refused it. He gasped, snapping his head up as he saw the two royals attack. "Elcaire! Jynn! Wait!" This seemed to...easy. There was no way that could be the source of life, could it? Just a small sphere, containing such a great source of power...maybe he was overthinking it, but something just seemed amiss. "That couldn't have been the source of all life...could it...it just seems...much too easy." Helios whispered, standing up on his feet. He couldn't recognize the voice, he couldn't understand what it spoke to them. Instead he walked closer. He didn't run, he didn't charge. He just walked, eyes right on Yevgeni as he glared with his icy blue eyes. "What have you done, Yevgeni...have you not done enough?" He asked. Somewhere, in the area, a small being would exist. It wasn't real, but it wasn't unreal either. Energy, electricity...it just existed in the shape of a familiar figure. It would shift in and out of view, the sound of the sparks flying here and there. All that could be certain was his bright, blue eyes that watched them with curiosity.

- Helios & Arthur - /w everyone else - The Final Trial: The Gate - Once again, Helios found himself alone. His surroundings were white, and endless. The only distinguishable feature being that of a gate. He walked towards it, hands carefully feeling upon the inscriptions on the steel. He gasps at the voice behind him, turning as he stared at...himself. It stood there, happily with a smile as if it were a mirror. It asked for what he held most dear of him...his mind began to race along with his heart. "...you mean my necklace right?" Helios asked, his voice a whisper as he held it. The last remainder of his friend. It ached his heart to even think about it, but he would- The copy would shake his head. "No. Close." It spoke. Helios' eyes narrowed. "Aura...I wouldn't ever-" "Not her either." The copy walked closer, before pointing at Helios' chest. "The one thing you hold most dear above everything else in this and other world...the beloved memories of your friends." Helios could feel his blood run cold. "The one thing that has kept you alive. Going and going. The memories that you hold so dear. That is the price you must pay to move onward." The Copy spoke, hands behind its back as it stared at Helios. The Fey grasped at his chest tightly, slowly gritting his teeth. "...there is no other way, is there?" The Copy would shake its head. Helios would remain quiet for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. He looked up, eyes gleaming at the verge of tears. "...Then so be it." "Are you sure about this?" The Copy asked, taking a step forward. Helios wiped away his tears. "I am sure." He said. "These memories...they are my most precious treasures. The memories of all who I hold so dear to my heart...but sacrifices must be made...there is no happily ever after." Helios extended his hand, offering it to the copy. "If my memories are the cost of the chance of saving the countless lives that have been lost...then I will just have to make new ones." He said, a single tear streaming down his face. The Copy smiled softly. "Then so it shall be." He reached out, taking Helios' hand. Helios would close his eyes, picturing their laughter and smiling faces one last time before it all went to white. (( Helios has sacrificed the memories of Ren, Arianna, and all of their moments. He cannot recall their names, their voices, their faces. )) (( It is as if they never existed...even though he knows better. )) Arthur was surprised to find what he did. He touched the gate, only for the voice to startle him. He would turn to greet the Copy with a sword pointed at its neck, though the copy didn't move nor react. It merely stared at him with a smile, which only made it worse. Arthur slowly lowered his sword, staring at the copy of himself. "What I hold most dear?" He asked, narrowing his eyes. What could they possibly take? His home is gone. His kingdom is gone. His family is gone. His world is gone. What more could they take away from him? "You are a knight are you not? A proud knight of your kingdom! Even when it no longer exists!" The Copy would say proudly, walking back and forth, sort of teasing Arthur. The young man would stare at the copy, staring at him. "What are you trying to say?" He asked. The copy would pause, turning to Arthur before pressing a hand against his heart. "You have to give me everything that remains of you. Your pride. Your all." The Copy spoke. Arthur stared at the Copy, his heart sinking. "...me." He finally whispered. "That is correct." The Copy would lean in closer. "You have to give me your humanity." The knight would grit his teeth, but he would take a deep breath. "...this is the only way to get to the Source of All Life?" He asked. "Yes." "...well, not like I'm going to say no." Arthur would smirk at his copy, reaching out and offering his hand. "Then I give you my humanity." He said. The Copy chuckled, reaching out and taking his hand. "Father would be proud." "I know that already." Arthur watched as his skin would soon seem to crack and shatter, the energy from his draining as he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, Athena." He whispered, feeling the humanity within him disappear. "I hope you don't sacrifice as much as I have." (( Arthur has sacrificed his humanity. What happens to a human when you take all that they are? ))

- Helios & Arthur - /w everyone else - Xeno'jiva Room- Arthur would hold onto his blade as the creature fell, uttering its final words before the cave of crystals became eerily silent. Helios would witness the creature fall, defeated by the barrage of attacks upon it. Even though it meant that they would move on, and that they had passed the trial, it didn't mean that it felt any better. Especially considering that the creature they had just killed was practically extinct...the hint of sadness was still there, aching in his heart, but he had to continue. He would carefully slither off the creature, slowly transforming back as his hand had long stopped bleeding, the dried blood serving as a patch of some sort against the wound. Arthur would pull his sword out, jumping down onto the floor as he glanced around the room. "Everyone alright?" He asked, his voice echoing as everyone kept up. Helios would walk over to the Xeno'jiva, watching as he passed onto the life beyond this one in the hands of the ancients. He couldn't help but to press his hands against it's head, closing his eyes. "May you join your brethren in the other side. I'm sorry." He whispered, watching the large beast take its final breath. He would only turn when Jynn gave the suggestion, letting go of the beast to explore with the rest. "I'll see what I can find." Helios spoke, smoke covering him as he transformed into a bird, flying off into the air. Arthur would nod, turning as he began to walk around in search of something, anything to move on. He would walk around until he found what seemed to be a cave of the crystals. It was made up of crystals growing up and crossing across each other into the air, more crystals surrounding it as a table of the same material sat in the middle. "Guys, I think I have something here." He called. Helios would reach down, transforming as he landed on the floor. Arthur placed a hand on the table as Helios stepped inside, a hand pressed against the carvings within the crystals. Arthur took a look. "What language is that?" "Draconic." Helios pursed his lips. "Ren spoke it..." He whispered, looking down before looking back up. "Er...Kril sil dar unt ruz miiraad..." He squinted his eyes. He was terrible at this, sadly "I can't read it. But I know that Soren might be able to."

- Helios & Arthur - /w everyone else - Xeno'jiva boss fight - Helios hissed, coiling himself around the body as he pulled on the wings. As the beast soon became paralyzed by the numerous of attacks on it. They saw their chance. Helios had clung onto the beast for dear life, refusing to give up easily. As it landed, shaking the cave with it, he eventually let go, but not to run away. With smoke covering him once more, he transformed into a bird and flew as high as the cave would allow him. "May you find peace with your kind in the world beyond this one, Xeno'jiva." Helios whispered, allowing himself to drop from as high as he could, right towards the beast. His eyes gleamed, the sting of his bloodied hand no longer there, smoke covering him up once more. "Forgive us!" And with that, Helios re-emerged from the smoke, once again in his large, Basilisk form. He had spun as he fell towards Xeno'jiva, creating a calculated attack as he proceeded to slam his tail and body right into Xeno'jiva, slamming the grand beast right back onto the ground as hard as he could. Pain surged across his own body, Helios hissing in pain as he swore he heard a few bones pop. His body against the hard exterior skeleton was going to end up leaving him black and blue for a whole month...but he wouldn't have had it any other way in the end of the day. As Helios slammed the beast into the ground, Arthur saw his chance. He followed behind Mariel and Jynn, jumping onto the beast's head. "My prince, if I may!" Arthur hurried to the wound on the creature's head. He carefully stabbed his own sword into the wound, sparks flying across his body as he had been charging one big blow. With a deep breath, Arthur unleashed it all. Using the opening, he proceeded to unleash the jolts upon jolts of electricity that he had been charging up right into the beast's body, wrecking it from the inside. His eyes merely glanced up at Jynn for a moment, staring at him as his own pupils were crooked and moving, lightning strikes of their own as he offered the prince a smile. "Lead us to victory, my king!"

- Helios & Arthur - /w everyone else - Xeno'jiva boss fight - Arthur looks at Athena, eyes softening even with the whole war going on around them. He knew that telling such a thing to Athena was no less than bringing a war to her. The proud princess was strong and mighty as she was beautiful and kind. To tell her 'don't fight' might as well guarantee her to kick your ass and send you back to where you came from. But this was different. This wasn't a strategic war. This wasn't her leading an army, or fighting against an opponent. This was a creature beyond any of their abilities...but who was he to judge a princess to want to fight for the people she had lost. "If you want to fight, Athena, then I won't stop you." He whispered, staring at her with a glow in his eyes. "But if I see you in danger, do know that I will come to your aid, and give my life for you, my love. This fight will determine whether our kingdom, our world may return...but I refuse to lose you in return." He whispered, staring at her. He leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before backing away. To lose her would not have been worth it. What was worth saving a kingdom if they would have no ruler to guide them back to prosperity? He could feel the energy returning to him, sparks of electricity surging across his body as he was ready to fight again. He could not waver any longer. Without much of another word, he disappeared into lightning, reappearing on the beast's side. He would charge his sword with electricity, the lightning covering the sword before he would disappear into lightning again, reappearing high in the air before he would slam the sword down right onto the beast's wing, right in the spot where it would connect with the rest of the body. Helios would be holding onto its back, using the shard that he had held to stab the creature on the back over and over again. The shard alone began to cut into his own, unprotected skin, crimson blood dripping down the makeshift blade and onto the beast. Yet the pain didn't sting as bad as it should. The adrenaline was rushing, and after a certain point he didn't even feel it, only annoyed that it was getting slippery because of said blood. He could feel his energy returning to him from the blight, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he opened his eyes. He couldn't possibly transform into something bigger...could he? It could drain him of energy and leave him running only of adrenaline...ah. But there wasn't much he could do. So he went for it. He took another drink of the blue potion, his eyes glowing as smoke escaped from his lips. From the smoke, something would wrap itself around the large beast. A white, slithering body of a Standard Basilisk would wrap itself around the dragon, trying to bring it down to the ground as Helios bit down right onto its neck. It was as if it was a reenactment of how a snake tried to eat its prey, except of course, Helios would not and could not eat this dragon. But he could at least help bring the damn thing down.

- Helios & Arthur - /w everyone else - Xeno'jiva boss fight - Helios tightened its grip on the creature, but the words that followed it couldn't help but to ache in his heart...because he realized that it was true. Had they remained in the Overworld, none of this wouldn't have happened. Ren and Arianna might still be alive. All of this happened because of his mistakes. "I..." Helios spoke, unable to find the words. He would find himself being pulled away by the creature, being held tightly as he couldn't slither away, instead a blast aimed right at him. Helios could only prepare for his death had it not been for Jynn and the rest creating a barrage of attacks. Eventually the creature let go of Helios, allowing him to fall back onto the ground, turning back into his original form before rolling back onto his feet. He watched the creature 'die' its words still in his mind...but it wasn't dead yet. Helios was caught in the blast, falling back as the crystals began to fall from the ceiling. He tried to transform, but was unable to. His eyes widened, quickly getting onto his feet as he ran, barely missing a few of them. One hit much too close, the force as it crashed sending even more small crystals flying across, one ended up stabbing Helios right on the leg. He screamed, gritting his teeth as he pulled out the crystal, looking up as all eyes were on the creature once more. "You are right. All of this is my fault." Helios hissed, staring at the dragon. "Had we obeyed and stay put, we would have remained...but I cannot turn back time. As many regrets that I have, I can only consider to make up for them with the actions of the present and future. Yes, much has gone wrong...but the return of so much good has balanced it out. The release of the seal that drained the world below, the uncovering of secrets, the meeting of so many people...those I can never, ever regret." Instead of throwing the crystal away, he held onto it, intending to use it as a dagger. "I am here, Ren and Ariana are gone. The events that have passed cannot be turned back and erased. As much as one wishes to...I refuse to linger on the unchangeable past when the future is still ahead. We will get the Source of All Life and bring back the innocent people of the world from below. If killing you is the only way through to it, then your life will be the one and only I shall take!" Helios yelled, undeterred as he gripped the bloody crystal tight. He would charge back at the dragon again, light on his feet as he usually was. He would, however, use the large crystals to his advantage to jump onto them and leap off them, landing on the dragon's back and stabbing down into its skin.

- Helios & Arthur - /w everyone else - Xeno'jiva boss fight - Arthur couldn't block nor dodge the blast of energy. It sent him flying back into the nearest cluster of crystals, crashing across. He finally came to an end, leaving dust and pieces of crystal behind. He carefully stood up, his cape with the kingdom's emblem torn into pieces. His armor slightly dented as he got back onto his feet. Yet, he knew something was wrong. He looked down at himself. "I...my powers are gone!" He yelled, staring down at his hands. He gritted his teeth, ripping the blue cloak off him. No matter. He was born without powers, raised without powers, as a human then and now. He didn't need them. Arthur glanced at Athena and King Alderon, his eyes widening as he hurried to their side. As the crystal fell from the ceiling due to another blast, Arthur hurried to their side, raising his shield as he used it over the two to protect them from the falling debris. The clang of the crystals against the metal of the shield echoed as Arthur turned to the two, his eyes falling on Athena. "Athena, I know you want to do this. This is your people we are fighting for. But we can't risk you against something this dangerous!" Arthur said, staring at her as he maintained the shield above them. "It won't be worth bringing our people back if they don't have a leader to return to." Meanwhile Helios was dodging the falling debris. He would fly over the creature's head, transforming from the bird to a large, bright white anaconda. He would slither across the creature's head before wrapping himself tightly around the Xeno'jiva's mouth, trying to keep it from shooting anymore beams. If it tried to shoot a beam, maybe it could end up hurting itself in return. "My condolences for the hunting of your kind!" Helios hissed as he continued. "We are in search of the source of all life, in order to bring back the lives that have been lost at the destruction of the world below! We don't have to fight!"

- Helios & Arthur - /w everyone else - Xeno'jiva boss fight - Helios and Arthur stepped inside. Helios' eyes gleamed at the beauty of the cave around them. Never had he seen such grand display of geodes, crystals and even diamonds. It was truly beautiful. Arthur's jaw almost dropped, his eyes wide as he twirled on his feet, looking around and witnessing the grand display of the place. "Holy crap." He hissed in awe. "All of this was underground?" Arthur asked. Helios paused as he watched Jynn pick up one of the crystals. That's when things began to shift, the ground shaking. His head snapped towards Jynn. "A nest?! Of what?!" Helio had lots of knowledge of many creatures...but this was beyond his knowledge and understanding. The orb exploded, sending the prince flying off. "Jynn!" Helios yelled, gasping as he turned his attention to the cocoon. They all watched as it gave birth to a grand creature. Arthur pointed his sword at it. "What the hell is that thing?! A dragon?!" Arthur asked. Helios looked back to Jynn, listening to the explanation. "The world below?" Oh this was dangerous. He turned to look back at the creature, getting his necklace back inside his robe. "Amazing." He whispered. "Wait, if it feeds off Bio energy, does this mean it feeds off actual life force?" Arthur asked. Helios looked down a bit. "Life force or Magika..." He eyed at Jynn. "It could have absorbed Jynn's Magika and gotten a jump start." He turned back to the beast. He didn't feel that he could talk his way out of this one. "What would its weakness be?" Arthur asked, eyeing the creature. "The only thing I see its right in its chest...if that's where the energy is, the destroying it would have it all slip out and kill it off, right?" Helios shook his head, turning to Dawson. "You heard Dawson." Helios said, Arthur nodding. "Got it!" Soon the creature would roar and shoot a beam at them. Arthur disappeared into lightning, reappearing away from the beam as he slid on the ground. Helios jumped out of the way, rolling to the side as the beam barely missed him. "I don't think I can transform into something this big." He muttered under his breath. The bigger he was, the more of a target he was. So, he would go small. He eyed around the room. He had enough space. He grabbed a flask of Magika, quickly drinking it up in one gulp. He panted, eyes narrowing as smoke escaped from his lips. Soon he transformed into a Peregrine Falcon, flying off into the air. He would provide distraction and attack on what he could. He would fly around the creature, pecking at the back of its skin before flying off again. He just needed to make sure he didn't end up getting eaten. Arthur charged up a beam from his sword, aiming it at the creature's wing and shooting right at it, sending a volt of electricity.

- Helios & Arthur - /w Everyone else - The Final Door - Helios looked at the door, squinting at it as he saw the keyhole. How did he missed that? "Right." He muttered. Maybe he was still thinking too deep about the whole trial. Seeing his friends, being able to touch them and listen to their voices. Even if it wasn't real it still left an ache in him having to leave. But I guess that was the point of the trial, wasn't it? To test him. To see how far he would go. He needed to allow himself to leave the past behind. To move on. He just hoped that he had done so the right way. "I don't like the feeling of this door, if I'm being honest." He muttered. Helios looked down at the key. "That trail was..." Helios muttered under his breath. He paused, feeling beads of tears gently stream down his face. He wiped them away with a smile. He shook his head, looking back to the door. Arthur stepped up. "Are you alright, Helios? What happened back there?" Arthur asked. "A trial, I guess." Helios mused, turning back to Rabiyu and Aura. "Whatever is beyond this door is what will ultimately save the world below. We have come this far. We must not hesitate." Helios looked back up. "It is the one thing that we must fix before moving onto the future ahead." Helios reached out, sliding the key into the keyhole. It fit perfectly. He took a deep breath, slowly twisting the key as he unlocked it with a loud CLICK.

- Helios - /w Everyone else - The Final Door - Helios blinked a few times as he found himself at a new door, and a new scene. He stared, his hands moving his chest as he felt the necklace around his neck. Ren. Ariana. Was that a trial? They were warned that Isopolis would mess with his mind, that might've been one of those tricks. He pulled up the necklace, gently giving it a kiss as it was one of his beloved treasures. "Until we meet again." He whispered, his eyes closed for a moment. He would not deny it, to see them, to hear their voices and see their faces. It all felt like it was a blessing...but he knew better. It was merely the temple using his memories and emotions to test him...he wondered if he passed after all. He would open his eyes, just noticing as Mariel. He paused for a moment nodding quickly. "Right, I do." He said. He reached to his satchel, pulling out the ebony key that had been formed from the defeat of the basilisk. He turned to look back up at the door. He held the key, stepping with Mariel towards the door. He stared at the mosaic above, his eyes gleaming as he stared at it. A dragon? Now, it could mean many things. The dragons were always used as symbols of royalty and danger. Maybe they had to defeat a dragon? Or maybe it was a warning that there was a dragon behind them. Or- "Could this key work?" He asked, whispering under his breath as he held the basilisk key in his hand. Because in reality, there was only one other thing that he could think that was dragon related. The gift he was given by his friend. The relic of the clan of pure blooded dragons that lived in this world. His other hand moved down, pulling out the necklace that he held around his neck. It could just be coincidence. The dragon was used for many things and symbols, after all. Or it could have been destiny. Something predicted from along before his own time, built specifically and perfectly to be followed unbeknownst to any of them. Who knew. Certainly not him. Yet he tried, looking up as he held both items at hand. "I do not see a keyhole, though." Helios said, looking back at Mariel. "If we were to use this key, where would it go?"

I know there's a dragon Mosaic over the door and I couldn't help but to think; is Ren's necklace the key to the door?

- Helios - /w Henry, Aqua(?), Rufus (?), Helios, Soren - Left Path - His Trial - Helios walked down the darkness, looking around for the exit. He couldn't find it, at least, not until he saw the door in the distance. It seemed like a mirage, his eyes narrowing as he approached it. Yet as he did, he could feel his legs becoming much heavier. He looked down at his feet, seeing them being melted down into the floor. Helios gritted his teeth, pulling on his feet as he reached out for the door. It became closer and closer, but the more he ended up struggling against the floor beneath. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Focus...don't become desperate..." Helios whispered, opening his eyes again, his pupils slit as he reached out for the door. "I have come this far, I refuse to back down." He hissed, bearing his fangs. The ground beneath him shattered, releasing his feet. The door would suddenly grow, appearing right before him as he could see it now clearly. There was a handle on the door, Helios reaching in. He grabbed a hold of the door handle, grasping onto it before looking over at the dark. "Henry?! Soren!" He called, asking for them. He paused, turning back to the door before pulling on it, opening the door as he fell right in.

- Helios - /w Henry, Aqua(?), Rufus (?), Helios, Soren - Left Path - His Trial - Those words weighed heavy. He always had a choice. To ignore and turn away, or to head through despite it all. "I'm sorry." He whispered, closing his eyes as he took a step forward. "I have to...I have to-" Helios hissed, taking another step only to fall through. He couldn't even catch his breath as he fell right into the blood beneath, a whole lake of it. He surfaced gasping for air, his whole body shaking as he tasted the rotten blood on his tongue and teeth. He coughed up, grasping for anything only to realize that it was the corpse of a deer, quickly letting go. Tears ran down his cheeks, feeling the once warm blood uncomfortably cold around him. The sight of maggots swimming for death flesh to eat had him heave, only for nothing to come out. "Helios." The new voice had Helios gasp, turning around to see familiar figures in the path where he had just come from. His mother and father walked closer, their smiles as warm as ever. "Mom? Dad?" "Helios, you're alright. I was so worried." His mother chimed, kneeling down to the edge of the blood lake. Helios was the spitting image of the gentle Fey. Her dark skin with white hair and clear blue eyes, while he inherited his father's stubbornness and kindness. "What are you doing here?" "To bring you home, of course." His mother insisted, offering her hand. "Come on. You know you are always welcomed home, my darling." Helios blinked, staring at his mother. "I am?" "Of course." She leaned down, rubbing his head softly. "You don't have to go through this. Just come home." She insisted, offering her hands. Helios leaned closer, looking into his mother's eyes as he took her hands...before gently pushing them back. "I can't." He spoke, shaking his head. "I can't turn back. I can run away." Helios insisted, looking back up. "It hurts. It really does...but I can't run away, mom. I have to face it. I hate death. I hate taking life. I hate seeing life being taken away with such violence and cruelty...but I cannot do something about it by ignoring it." Helios let go of her hands, backing away. "I have to move on." His mother smiled, standing up. "Then go. Be brave, Helios." Helios smiled softly, turning away from them as he began to trek through the bloody lake. He pushed away the corpses, muttering under his breath at the scent that followed. He struggled, but he managed to reach the end. He pulled himself up, the blood dripping off his body as he crawled onto the mud. He stood up, panting for breath as he took another step forward. He was no longer in the forest. He was no longer covered in blood. His feet touched the cold surface of stone as the world around him was dark. He recognized this place. His eyes widened, looking around as he found himself in the laboratory that he once dreaded long ago. Midnea's laboratory. He gasped as he heard the rattling of chains, turning around. He watched as they dragged in a much too familiar figure. "Ariana!" He screamed, running to her. But as he reached out, he would simply pass right through her, merely a ghost witnessing the past. Remembering the sins that were once committed. "No!" Helios screamed, reaching out for the knights, only for him to shift through them like water. "Stop it! Ariana!" Helios screamed. He could only watch in despair as the experiments proceeded. He never knew what they did to her, and yet his mind and the mirages worked their magic in giving him a live presentation to match the sounds he heard so long ago. "No! Stop it!" Helios screamed. The screaming became louder, the blood spilling as Helios dropped to his knees. "No...Ariana..." He whispered, looking as tears dripped down his face. He couldn't do anything. Not back there. Not now. Not ever. "Ariana..." He hissed, covering his ears as he shook. Soon enough the screams were replaced by sobs. He looked up, and the scenery changed again. No longer was he in the laboratory. Now he was in a cell, filled with only darkness. With his eyes he could see Ren, chained up and alone, sobbing in his loneliness. "No, Ren!" Helios ran to him, but once again, he would go through. He shook his head, trying to reach him over and over again. "Ren! You're not alone! You're not alone, Ren!" "Helios." Helios opened his eyes, the whole scenery changing once again. Now he knelt in a familiar library, the cool of the marble flooring against his knees sending shivers up his spine. The fire raged on outside the windows. Sitting on the wooden chairs and reading over books sat Ren and Ariana, smiling at Helios as they waved at him. "About time you got here." Ariana said, waving him over. Helios pushed himself onto his knees, walking over to the two. “...Ariana...Ren?” He asked, his voice soft, almost choked up. The two looked up at Helios, watching as tears flooded his eyes. He wrapped his arms around them, pulling them both into a hug as he sobbed. “I’ve missed you.” He whispered, holding them both in his arms. “I miss you so, so much.” He spoke, tears streaming down his face. The two figured hugged back tightly, embracing Helios in their arms as much as he embraced them. He eventually let go, wiping the tears away. “You blame yourself.” Ren spoke. “Of course I do!” Helios said, rubbing his tears away. “If I had been stronger! I could’ve saved you two from all of this-!” “There is regret. But you can’t change the past, Helios.” “I know.” Ariana patted a chair. “Come on. Ren’s just about to tell us one of those boring stories from his ancestors.” “Hey! They aren’t boring!” Helios smiled as he proceeded to sit down on the table, laying his head down to listen. The three would spend...who knows how long there, listening, sharing stories, and overall enjoying the time as if it were back in reality. Helios felt happy, relieved. But he felt that he was forgetting something? It didn’t click with Helios until he saw the vase of crystal flowers, his eyes widening. “Isopolis!” Helios looked down at the two. “We have to go back! I was with...Henry and Soren and then...we have to go back!” Helios said, quickly grabbing their hands and lifting them up. “There’s still time! We can return-” Helios stopped, freezing in his spot. He slowly let go of them. “...you can’t...can you?” He asked, looking back at the figures of his friends, frowning. “Because you’re long gone.” The figures looked at each other. “Not here.” Ariana said. “Yeah. We exist here. You can stay, if you want.” Ren offered, taking Helios’ hand again. “Come on, stay with us. We’ll be together again. We can read all of the books we want, and no one can kick us out.” “We’ll practice new magic too! We can have sleepovers here!” Ariana suggested. “We...can?” Helios asked. “Of course.” Ren smiled, pulling Helios back to the table. “Come on, we’re going to read a new one.” But before he could be seated, Helios let go of his hand. “I can’t stay.” Helios spoke, staring at them. “I have to leave. Isopolis, Henry, Aura...everyone. We have to find the source of life before it’s too late.” Helios explained. Ren frowned. “First you kill us, and now you don’t want to stay?” He asked. Ah, that hurt. Much more than it should have. Yet...it only made Helios smile, because it truly confirmed; “You aren’t real. You both are...gone.” He whispered. “You both are long gone and...no matter what I do, I can’t bring you back. Even if I were to be selfish enough to try it with the source of all life...I don’t think any of you would ever forgive me for it.” Helios spoke, closing his eyes. He held Ren’s necklace, smiling at them. “It’s a promise, you know. I’m going to see the two of you again, one day...but not before the world is done with me.” Helios said, backing away further until his hands touched the grand library doors. He paused and looked back for a moment, Ren and Ariana waving goodbye at him. It was a bittersweet feeling, both a goodbye and a see you soon. “Good bye, Ren, Ariana.” Helios whispered. “Just wait for me.” And with that, Helios opened the doors, and his reality shattered into dark once more. No matter how far you travel, home is closer than you think.Travel far and travel wide, and know that you are always welcome home. Go forth, wanderer. Enjoy the journey, for hope shall follow in the wake of your greatest deeds.

Helios' post was hella long so I've divided it into two.

- Arthur - /w Rabiyu, Aura, Eclaire, Typhon, Mariel - Final Door - - Arthur followed the path...only to encounter the large pair of doors and two familiar faces. "Mariel." Arthur spoke, before turning to Typhon. "Oh! I remember you!" Arthur spoke, quickly pointing at Typhon. "Nice to see you again, mister pokerface." Arthur said, turning back to look at the pair of doors. "You haven't been able to open it?" Arthur asked, stepping closer as he pressed his hands against the door. He searched to see if it had a keyhole and needed a key or maybe there was a puzzle they had to solve on it. He looked back at the two. "How long have you guys been here? Where did the others go?" - Helios - /w Henry, Aqua(?), Rufus (?), Helios, Soren - Left Path - His Trial - Helios smiled at Henry. "You didn't drag me into anything, Henry. I chose this path on my own free will." He assured. Yet before he could speak more, Henry and everyone else around him disappeared into the dark. "Henry?" Helios asked. He paused his steps, looking around. Even with the ability to see in the dark, they weren't around. It wasn't that it was dark, they were just...gone. "Henry? Soren?" He asked. He took a step forward, and just like that the world around him began to change. The dark flew into the sky in the shape of countless butterflies, their wings fluttering to life as the world around him regained color. The cool breeze of a summer's day would gently fly past his skin, the floor beneath his feet transforming into a field of grass and flowers. The horizon painted itself in azure blue, the endless forests and mountains of the Overworld. Helios' eyes widened as he found himself in a place he never thought he'd see again. He turned around, and there it was, the capital of Kilkis Seres. He was in the outskirts. The plains that he and his friends would play along in. Yet he didn't understand. Why was he here? Why- "Helios!" The fey would turn back around, feeling as the breeze would rise the endless flower petals around him. For a moment more he was no longer as old as he was before. He now stood as a smaller version of himself, younger. Before him, stood two familiar faces. Ren and Ariana. The two were waving at him. "Helios! Are you coming?" Ariana asked, waving at him. Helios could feel his heart ache. Was this real? Or a dream? Maybe just a wishful memory? Regardless he smiled, waving his hand at them. "I'm coming!" He called, running after them. The three would be laughing at each other, running through the fields. They would spend what seemed to be eternity merely being children, free of the world around them without a care in the world. They picked up flowers and watched as Ariana transfused them with a bit of magic, the flowers themselves merging together into butterflies before taking flight. They would never last very long but would be beautiful regardless. They would spy on the nest of a Jackalope, watching as the small creatures would step out of the nests for the very first time and explore the world following their mother. At one point they stood by a hill only to end up rolling down on it one after another, landing at the bottom with laughter and petals in their hair. Ariana stood up, running off towards the city again. "Come on, lets go to the library!" Ariana called. "Coming!" Ren yelled, Helios chasing right after. He would follow them into the forested area, the shortcut to the city. Helios chased after them, losing sight of them among the shadows of the forest. "Guys! Wait for me!" He yelled, a smile on his lips. Yet, it would not last. As he could see the exit to the groves, he took note of the orange sky beyond. The scent of rotten flesh and iron assaulted his nostrils as he came upon a terrible scene. Helios found himself grown once more, his eyes wide at the sea of flames before him. The forest lay in flames as the grass below colored crimson with blood. The animals of the forest lay dead, ripped to pieces as their eyes remained open and glazed, their insides outside as flies drank at what remained. Citizens themselves were scattered across, the sound of war raging through the atmosphere. Helios gently covered his ears, shaking his head. "No." Helios' fear, perhaps? The unavoidable cycle of life. Birth, life, death. Repeat. No, this was violence. Unnatural death. War. He could feel his stomach turn, as his whole body shook. He had to turn back. He had to find another way- Helios! Helios snapped his head back up. He could hear them, Ren and Ariana. They cried for him across it all. "Ren, Ariana?!" He called, remaining in place. He took one more glance at the floor of blood before him before looking back up. He stared at the flames, his eyes softening as tears ran down his cheeks. It cannot be avoided, Helios. The cycle of life shall go on, and the world will keep turning, whether you wish to follow it or not. It is up to you of whether you live through it, or refuse to move on.

Helios' defining trait; his entire life from beginning to end has been defined by wrong decisions-

- Arthur & Helios - /w Athena, Eclaire, Rabiyu, Henry, Soren, Aura, Rufus, and Bherna - Left or Straight - Helios turned to Henry, quickly turning to him. "Henry, no. We should stick together." He insisted. Yet, it seemed he was determined to go through the left path. Helios sighed, turning to Aura and the rest. "I cannot let him go alone. I will go with him." Helios decided. "Are you sure about that?" Arthur asked, eyeing him. "All of your decision making so far, with all due respect, as sucked." Helios chuckled, shaking his head. "True, my decisions have usually been...not the best, but I'm still here, am I not?" Helios asked. He smiled at Aura, quickly pecking her cheek. "I will make sure he's ok. You stay close to Rabiyu." He asked, leaning in and pressing his forehead against hers for just a bit longer. He let go of her before turning and following Henry. "I'm coming with you, Henry. I'm not letting you go alone." He insisted, smiling at his friend as he followed right behind him on the left path. However, he noticed that he seemed a bit disturbed by something. Well, besides all of the crap that they were doing. "Are you alright, Henry?" He asked, looking up at him as he walked side by side. Compared to Henry he was much shorter than him. Then again he merely looked 21 years of age despite being over 300. He reached into his satchel, piking up some flowers. "If you are in pain, you can chew on these flowers. They tend to alleviate it." Arthur nodded, waving at Helios and Henry as they went ahead to the left path. He turned back to the group, shrugging. "Guess the rest of us are going straight ahead?" He asked. Helios has gone left! Arthur has gone straight!

- Arthur & Helios - /w Athena, Eclaire, Rabiyu, Henry, Soren, Aura, Rufus, and Bherna - Crate Room - Helios smiled at Henry, rubbing the back of his head. Oh yeah, Henry didn't know. Whoops. He looked up at the paths, hearing the opinions as they began to decide which path to take. So far, everyone was saying that they should go straight, and seeing that his last decision ended them up in that catastrophe, he decided to go along. "I agree with the fact that we must stick together. So if the majority says to go straight, we should agree on it." Helios said, holding Aura's hand still. He looked up at the group. "I could go in front and transform if needed to be." Helios suggested, looking down at the key. "Maybe we can find a door to match this key." He said. He hoped that the others were alright. They hadn't heard screaming, but then again, these guys didn't hear their either. Arthur looked at Athena as she called for him, walking over to her before he looked up at the crate. "Alright, though we shouldn't stray from the group." Arthur said, looking down at her. He knelt down, crossing his hands together. "Up you go." He said, pushing her upwards. "Be careful. I can break the crates, you know. Burn them to ash or something." He suggested. "Don't burn them. There's limited oxygen in here and smoke will not help!" Helios called over. Arthur looked back. "Then I'll smack them with my sword!"

- Arthur & Helios - /w Athena, Eclaire, Rabiyu, Henry, Soren, Aura, Rufus, and Bherna - Crate Room - Smoke emitted from Helios' mouth as he slowly returned to his normal appearance. He panted, sweat on his brow as he used his forearm to wipe it away. "That...that was..." Helios panted, hands on his knees. He needed a breather. He straightened himself up, looking at the group. "So...it turns out that we took the wrong door." Helios spoke, watching as the snake dissolved into nothing. Well, almost nothing. A key was left behind. Helios walked over, kneeling down as he picked up the key. He was careful as he did, making sure that it wasn't coated in poison or anything. Once deemed safe, he picked up the key, staring at it. "Well, we got a key. Now we just have to find a door." Helios sighed, standing up. His attention went straight to the group that they had encountered, smiling softly at them. "I'm glad to see you guys are alright." He chuckled, turning back to Aura. He walked over to her, and quickly, but gently pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm glad you're alright too." He muttered. He held the key up, staring down at it before looking back up at the group. "We have a key, and another wall of crates...I kind of want to see what's behind the wall, but I'm concerned that we are going to find another snake." Helios admitted, rubbing the back of his head. Arthur jumped off as Eclaire finished off the snake, landing on the floor. He watched the snake fall and quickly dismissed the lightning that surrounded him. He sheathed his sword, quickly turning to the rest of the group. "Glad to see you are all well." Arthur spoke, smiling at the group. He rubbed the back of his head and turned to look at Athena. He walked back to her, a gentle smile on his features. "You're so stubborn, my princess. But you should've warned you were coming with us. To get separated in this place...I would never forgive myself if something happened to you." He rubbed his head a bit, looking around at the room. "Well, at least even if we end up in one place, we can end up reaching somewhere else...sure with more trouble, but we get there eventually."

Helios, proceeding to ask the Basilisk for an autograph: I loved your role in Harry Potter: The Chamber of Secrets

- Arthur & Helios - /w Athena, Eclaire, Rabiyu, Henry, Soren, Aura, Rufus, and Bherna - Basilisk Showdown in the Labyrinth - Arthur jumped as he was scolded for kissing Athena. He turned, glaring at them. "Give me a break!" He yelled, his face turning red. He turned back to Athena, smiling as he rubbed the back of his head. "So, um, I'm going go ahead and help? Be careful, alright? Talk to you later?" He asked, smiling sheepishly as he let go of Athena. The moment he did, his attention turned to the beast. He jumped, disappearing in a strike of lightning. He reappeared at the end of it's tail, running up its body. "Helios!" Arthur yelled. Helios nodded, preparing himself in his basilisk form as he was wrapping himself around the Basilisk, trying to get it down for them to take it down. Arthur ran up the Basilisk, jumping off it before aiming to land on Helios' tail. Helios proceeded to launch Arthur upwards, and right over the Basilisk. Arthur charged up electricity around him, holding his blade as he focused on it. He screamed, feeling the energy run down as he landed on the Basilisk's head. He used the force of the fall to pierce the sword right into its skull, screaming as he unleashed lightning into the Basilisk. Sparks flew from him, hoping to electrocute the beast from the inside. Helios grunted a bit at the sparks, burning his skin too, but damn, he hoped that it hurt the Basilisk more than it hurt him.

That is exactly whats gonna happen