The Heartless were gone, but the unease they left behind lingered in the village.
The Powhatan warriors gathered around a large fire, the flames flickering against their tense faces. Some were injured, others exhausted, but all of them kept their eyes on Helios, Aqua, and Skuld.
Chief Powhatan stood before them, his expression unreadable as he addressed his people.
"These creatures—these shadow beasts—were unlike anything we have faced," his deep voice echoed through the night. "Yet, these three strangers fought them with ease. I say we let them stay and fight with us."
Murmurs spread through the warriors.
"They brought them here," one said.
"No, they saved us," another countered.
"We do not know what they are," a third muttered.
Powhatan turned his sharp gaze to Helios. "You have strength. That much is clear. But strength alone does not earn trust."
Helios smiled slightly, stepping forward.
"Then let's settle this the way warriors do," he said smoothly. "Trust in physical ability is how warriors communicate, right?"
The murmurs stopped.
All eyes turned toward him.
"I challenge your strongest warrior to a fight," Helios continued. "If I win, we stay and help protect the village. If we lose, we leave."
A hush fell over the crowd.
Then—a deep voice answered.
"I accept."
Kocoum stepped forward, expression stone-cold and unreadable.
His muscles tensed beneath the firelight, his posture one of absolute control.
Helios grinned. 'Perfect.'
Meanwhile, away from the tense discussions, Skuld and Pocahontas who snuck away stood near the river, practicing.
Skuld held out her hand, conjuring a small, swirling sphere of wind.
"The Aero spell is about flow," she explained. "You don't force it—you guide it. And sometimes… it guides you."
Pocahontas nodded, closing her eyes.
She could feel the wind shifting around her, rippling along the river, moving through the trees.
She lifted her hand and mimicked Skuld's motion.
A soft breeze stirred around her fingertips, circling her wrist before vanishing.
Skuld's eyes widened. "You're a fast learner."
Pocahontas exhaled, feeling something stir deep inside her. This was new… but also familiar.
The wind had always spoken to her.
Now, she was beginning to listen.
Back in Jamestown, darkness whispered in the night.
Ratcliffe sat in his lavishly decorated tent, the candlelight flickering strangely. His shadow stretched unnaturally on the walls, twisting into shapes that weren't his own.
The Heartless were watching.
Waiting.
A small, impish Soldier-class Heartless knelt before him, its yellow eyes flickering. More lurked in the corners of his tent, silent and patient.
Ratcliffe leaned forward, a slow, greedy smile spreading across his face.
"This land belongs to me," he murmured. "And yet, these filthy savages think they can stand in my way."
A raspy whisper curled in his ear.
"Take the land. Crush them. Let the darkness grow. Take their hearts, and your soldiers will only grow stronger."
He exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of his chair.
"Yes…"
The Heartless pulsed in response.
"Start small," he commanded. "Destroy their allies. Leave only the Powhatan for me."
The Heartless vanished into the shadows, dispersing into the trees.
Outside, Thomas lurked near the edge of the tent, eyes wide with fear.
He had seen shadows move unnaturally before. He had heard whispers that shouldn't exist.
But now…
He knew.
Something was wrong with Ratcliffe. That man, he was working with the devil.
His breath quickened. He turned and ran, only to collide with John Smith.
"Thomas," John steadied him. "What's wrong?"
Thomas hesitated, looking over his shoulder at the tent.
"…I think something terrible is happening."
John frowned. "Slow down. Tell me everything."
Helios who should have been preparing for his fight with Kocoum walked without a care in the world. He planned to continue training Pocahontas.
He found two sturdy, sword-length sticks from last time and walked over to where Pocahontas was practicing with her bow.
She noticed him immediately. "What is it?"
Helios smiled, tossing her one of the sticks. "You're learning from Skuld, right? Let's continue where we left off last time."
Pocahontas caught the stick easily but frowned.
Helios twirled his stick in his hand, stepping into a casual but practiced stance.
Pocahontas hesitated. "And if I say no?"
Helios smirked. "Then you won't be able to stop me from attacking. Defend yourself!"
He lunged.
Pocahontas reacted instantly, raising her stick just in time to block.
"What are you doing?!" she demanded.
Helios grinned. "Teaching you."
She pushed back, twisting her weapon to knock his aside.
He countered smoothly, stepping to the side, forcing her to adjust her stance.
"Fast," he noted. "But you're playing defense. You need to press the attack. Show me what you learned."
Pocahontas' brow furrowed. She wasn't used to being forced into action.
But…
Something inside her shifted.
She exhaled—and moved like the wind.
This time, she struck first.
Helios blocked, but felt the force behind her swing.
Stronger. More deliberate.
Good.
She lunged again, this time faster, the wind at her back.
Helios smiled to himself. 'Yes. That's it. A little bit more.'
The dance of wooden blades continued until finally, Pocahontas' instincts sharpened—her weapon moving before her thoughts could catch up.
A gust of wind pushed at her back, making her strike faster than before.
Helios felt it.
He stepped back, raising a hand in surrender.
"Alright, alright. That's enough for now."
Pocahontas narrowed her eyes. "I thought this was a lesson."
Helios smirked. "It was. And you learned faster than I expected."
She lowered her stick, eyeing him. "And now?"
Helios grinned. "Now, I fight Kocoum."
She studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then don't lose. I don't think we can save this land without you three."
Helios chuckled. "I wasn't planning to."