As the swirling blue and white portal opened, Helios, Aqua, and Skuld stepped through, their Keyblade Armor shimmering away the moment they touched the ground.
The air was… different. I was cleaner and filled with traces of light. Helios could feel his own light stirring just from breathing in this air.
This wasn't like the Radiant Garden, where Maleficent's magic and the thick scent of darkness lingered.
It also wasn't like Olympus, where the world felt normal but had dark areas like the Underworld.
This world felt alive and pure.
The wind carried whispers, the trees swayed gently, despite there being no breeze.
The moment Helios' boots touched the ground, he felt it.
Although the atmosphere of this world seemed to somewhat reject him it was so subtle if he didn't pay close attention to it it would go unnoticed. Besides that rejection, there was also a strange pull.
Like someone well more like something was calling and waiting for him to come.
The world stretched before them—a vast, untouched wilderness with towering trees that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky.
A river shimmered under the soft glow of the sun, winding its way through the land.
Birds called from above, their songs mixing with the faint rustling of leaves and the distant rumble of waterfalls.
Helios exhaled. "This place feels… odd. We should be careful."
Aqua nodded beside him. "The magic in the air; it feels like it carries memories. This place also radiates such light there really must be a very pure heart in these lands."
Skuld took a step forward, running a hand along the bark of a nearby tree. "There's something watching us I think," she murmured.
Helios' eyes narrowed.
Not hostile, but something was observing them. If he could guess from his basic knowledge of this world having not really watched the movie it would either be the animals of this land or the Spirit of the Forest named Grandmother Willow.
A second later he was proven wrong in his guess as he felt the presence of six people nearby.
Before they could move further, figures emerged from the trees.
At least six warriors, each painted in tribal markings, bows in hand.
They moved silently, like shadows.
Helios didn't even notice their approach until they got so close. It was like the forest itself hid them as they stood there. This was concerning as it could lead to ambushes which Helios frowned upon.
Aqua tensed, her hand drifting to summon her keyblade.
Helios raised a hand slightly telling her to stop. "Easy don't make any moves right now."
The lead warrior stepped forward—a tall man with fierce, intelligent eyes, his presence commanding.
He was clearly a leader among them. He was a strong and stoic warrior, embodying discipline and tradition. He has a muscular, well-built physique, standing tall and imposing, reflecting his status. He looked to be the most skilled fighter in this group. His skin is a deep bronze, and his features are sharp and well-defined, with a square jawline, high cheekbones, and narrow, piercing dark brown eyes that often carry a serious expression. His raven-black hair is styled with the sides of his head shaved and the remaining hair pulled back into a long, thick ponytail. He also wore a single feather in his hair, signifying his rank as a warrior. His clothing consisted of a simple tan-colored loincloth, fastened at the waist with a leather belt. He wore armbands and wristbands made of leather, and his chest was bare, displaying his toned physique. His stance and posture were poised for battle, exuding an air of quiet intensity.
Before anyone could speak—
A voice called out from the trees.
"Wait."
A figure moved toward them, graceful and deliberate.
Pocahontas a striking young Native American woman with a regal yet free-spirited presence. She had a tall, slender, and athletic physique, reflecting her active lifestyle as a hunter and explorer. Her skin was a warm, coppery brown, glowing with the vibrance of her natural surroundings. Her long, flowing raven-black hair was one of her most defining features. It is sleek, straight, and moves gracefully with the wind, often appearing weightless and fluid. Her facial features were soft yet noble, with high cheekbones, a slightly pointed chin, and full lips that carried both wisdom and warmth. Her deep almond-shaped, dark brown eyes conveyed intelligence, curiosity, and kindness, making her expressions powerful and captivating. She wore a one-shoulder, tan-colored suede dress with a simple yet elegant design, cut diagonally across her chest and ending just above her knees. The dress is decorated with subtle fringes along the hem and neckline. A turquoise necklace was the only piece of jewelry she wore on her personage. She was barefoot same as the warriors.
She studied them—not with fear, but curiosity.
Helios remained still.
He had expected to feel nothing toward her.
Yet somehow he felt the pull even stronger as he observed her. Was it the light in her heart or was it something else?
Pocahontas turned toward a man who appeared behind the warrior arriving after her—her father, Chief Powhatan.
"They are not enemies," she said simply.
Powhatan studied them for a long moment before waving for the warrior to lower their spears slightly. "Then they will explain why they are here," he said.
Helios smiled slightly. "Of course, we're travelers writing stories of many distant lands. We would like to commune with you and share in your stories and if it pleases you we'll share other stories of the many places we've visited. So please be at ease as we come in peace and have no desire to harm you."