The Dead fish drag fourth down a long and dark hall.
Fourth: I have to figure out a way to escape this place. They must be afraid of something to have kept us locked up. But why?.
Dead fish: "Kiken the boss told us to give him to Tako so he can prepare him for the other ritual."
Fourth: So the stupid one's name is Kiken.
Kiken: "Tako is not around at the moment. "
Naifu: "We can't just not bring him to Tako, the boss will be extremely angry with us if we don't do what he wants. "
Kiken: "I know that Naifu, you don't have to remind me again. I'd rather not have my fin cut off again. Do you know how long it took me to sew that thing back on and get it moving!"
Naifu: "I actually do You told me a hundred times already."
Kiken: "It took me two weeks to learn how to use it properly, and I still miss my mouth on occasion when I eat."
Fourth: "If I may interrupt for just a moment."
Kiken: "Did we say you could speak?!"
Naifu: "Now, Kiken, what's the worst that could happen. He's stuck with us, let's hear what he has to say."
Kiken: "Alright. What is it that you want?"
Fourth: "I have a few questions I'm hoping you two 'things' could answer for me."
Kiken: "Thing?! Why I ought to!"
Naifu: "Enough, Kiken, don't be so hot-tempered! Speak human."
Fourth: "For starters, who is Tako, and why must you bring me to him?"
Naifu: "Tako is the keeper of the Laomore Gates and the boss's right hand."
Fourth: Laomire Gates.. I haveheard of that, but from where?
Kiken: "As to why we must bring you to him, that is for you to find out."
Fourth: "I see. Could you at least tell me how long I've got before I take part in this ritual?"
Naifu: "I suppose it won't do any harm, there's no escape. You might as well get to know how long you have left to live."
Fourth: "That's all I ask of you."
Kiken: "The ritual will begin one week from today."
Fourth week. I have one week to live. Raion, Baskia, I'll be waiting for you.
Naifu: "Enough of this talking, we need to find him a place to go since Tako is currently gone."
Kiken: "We could take him back to the dungeon?"
Naifu: "That can not be done; we can not allow that girl to see him alive."
Fourth: That girl... I never did ask for her name; I was too focused on escaping. It never occurred to me that I would bring her with me if I were ever to escape. Who is this girl?
Kiken: "I understand, Naifu. I completely forgot what had happened before."
Naifu: "We can put him with Asuta for the time being. She'll take care of him."
Kiken: "Sounds like a plan. She always did have a soft spot for these humans, being one herself."
Fourth: "Another human? And she's not a prisoner."
Kiken: "She was one, once before."
Naifu: "She can explain that all to you herself. "
Kiken and Naifu led Fourth to Asuta's chambers. There, Fourth stood locked in his handcuffs in front of a door that stood nearly 15 feet high. Just when Kiken was about to knock, the door flung open. Standing before them was a young girl. Her hair was a mix of burnt orange with hints of yellow flowing through. She wore a white, dainty dress that looked too big for her. Fourth stood there in fear of what he had seen. Her presence gave him the chills, sending goosebumps down his entire body, and his eyes were fixated on one thing that he had really taken a keen notice of: her smile. She had none.
Asuta: "You're disturbing me with your loud footsteps," she said as she glared directly into their eyes.
Fourth: She's so young and small, why does she need such a huge entryway?
Kiken: "We brought you a present."
Asuta: "It's not my birthday. Go away."
She starts to shut the door, but Naifu stops it.
Naifu: "We have to bring him to you. Tako is gone; you're the only one who can handle them."
Asut:' "Put him back in the dungeon."
Kiken: "You know we can't do that with her down there."
Asuta: "Ah, that's right, I merely forgot. When is she going to die?"
Naifu: "The boss says her powers are too powerful but not powerful enough. If we bring him down to her again, she might just take all his powers for herself."
Fourth stood there in shock, his mouth started to move, but he stopped himself before he could speak a word. She takes people's powers! I didn't feel a thing?! And they know she was never dead, to begin with? What is happening here? Who really is that girl?
Asuta: "Fine, bring him in. "
Kiken and Naifu drag Fourth into Asuta's chambers. They shove him into the corner of the room.
Naifu: "This is where you'll be staying til Tako gets back. Don't make things difficult for Asuta."
Fourth stands in the corner with all his thoughts running through his mind. Who is Tako? What's this ritual I'm going to be a part of? How did I survive the lake? Who is the girl in the cell, and how was she able to take some of my magic from me? When will I be at my full magic powers again? Why is there another human here?! What is going on?!
As, Fourth mind ran wild, he could barely hear Asuta speaking to him.
Asuta: "I'll tell you what you want to know."
Fourth awoke from his own trance. "Sorry, what?"
Asuta: "I don't like to repeat myself."
Fourth: "I apologize, please let me know, I'll do anything."
Asuta: "There's nothing you could do for me that I can't do myself."
Fourth: "I beg of you, anything you want, I'll do it. Please tell me what is going on here." He gets down on his knees and kneels his head to her feet; his voice begins to crack as he speaks his words. Asuta stood there as tears shed down his face and onto her shoes.
Asuta: "Fine, I'll tell you."
Asuta wasn't sure if it was the fact that he was on his knees begging her or the look on his face after he had lifted his head. Was it the way his voice sounded when he spoke, how broken it was? No, it was everything: his voice, the look on his face, and everything else. He had reminded her of someone very dear to her.
Fourth: "I owe you so much gratitude! I can not thank you enough!"
Asuta: This man seemed so unafraid of the situation. What had happened those moments before?
Asuta: "Now, sit. I'll tell you everything."