The atmosphere was unsettling, almost like everyone saw a ghost. The geriatrics all focused on Meth, not even batting an eye at Zoork or Arthur. Except for the light-brown-haired girl near Arthur, she kept looking at him as she stood behind a geriatric. Amid everyone gazing, Zoork sat down, and Arthur stood behind him, placing his shopping bags on the table.

Meth was silent as he repositioned himself, sitting upright. He grabbed some papers on the table and shuffled them. "Now that we have all seven geriatrics, shall we discuss what you all want to hear?"

The round table seated four females: Jolene, Tihun, Selka, and Orri, and three males: Meth, Zoork, and Leon. On the left side of the table were Zoork, Jolene, and Leon, on the right were Selka, Tihun, and Orri, and at the end of the table was Meth. All the members were above forty, but none were older than seventy, except maybe Zoork — his skin was saggier than a ball sack.

Meth stood up and pointed to Arthur, giving him a wink as he smiled. "Arthur Penfish is the esteemed Wanderer we've been trying to find."

"Are you serious, or is this another one of your jokes?" Leon asked, standing up and looking at Arthur. He grabbed the table and pressed against it. He was muscular, so the table partially cracked from his raw power.

"I know you have red hair, but no need to be a hothead," Meth said, shaking his head. "Yeah, I know that was a bad joke, but don't worry, that boy is no trick. Nope. I would never disrespect the integrity of this esteemed organization."

Arthur turned his head around, looking at all the condescending eyes. He wasn't sure what Meth was implying. All he knew was that The Wanderers was an organization created by Meth.

Leon walked up and neared Arthur, and as he did, he pushed the standing female member out of the way. He towered over Arthur, looking down at him.

Zoork remained sitting and looked forward — he was speechless. He didn't know Arthur was The Wanderer. It was that or Meth was lying, but he knew Meth wouldn't fake such a statement. He was unsure what to accept, but he knew one sentiment: if Arthur was The Wanderer, shit was hitting the fan.

Arthur wasn't afraid. Compared to Ruhtra or Reaper, the man in front of him was a nobody. Or at least he thought so. That's exactly why he couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

Leon cocked his elbow and launched his fist at Arthur's face.

Arthur grabbed Leon's fist and smiled. Leon tried freeing his hand, but he couldn't. If Tuam was nonexistent, Arthur would stand at the apex of human ability, but with the addition of Tuam, things get tricky. He wouldn't fare so well.

"Enough," Meth said. "We must discuss the hereafter of this mundane life. Aren't you all as curious as I am, at least a bit interested in the future?"

Arthur let go of Leon's hand and stepped back — his expression was fearless as his eyes condescendingly widened, looking up at the man.

"Meth, I respect your decisions. However, I find it extremely unlikely The Wanderer would show up on a random Sunday. It's prophesied The Wanderer would bring a new order. This man in front of us does not differ from your average Joe. If he is The Wanderer, then I refuse to believe in this fallacy. I ref... refuse."

"Leon, my friend, you out of all people should know I would be the first to doubt such a revelation, but I'm happy to offer that this man isn't a normal being. No, he's far beyond your average Joe."

"How so?" He asked. "How could you possibly convince us that this man is The Wanderer? How?"

"Arthur," Meth said, giving him a smile. "Would you mind telling us who you are and what you'd like to accomplish?"

Zoork interrupted and turned his head to Arthur and then Meth. "Meth, that won't help. We should show them-"

Meth placed his bandaged finger over his lips, hushing Zoork. "Go on, no need to be afraid."

"My name is Arthur Penfish," he said as he looked around the room. "I joined this organization to put Lewis Bird in a fishbowl." Most of the room looked at him in confusion, but he didn't mind it and continued. "I'm not sure who this Wanderer is-"

Leon grabbed Arthur's head and squished it. "Meth, I'll get down to this in a second. I'm about to use my mind's eyes to find out if he's The Wanderer or not. If I find out he's a farce, I'll murder you. Right now and right here."

"Be my guest. But don't blame me."

"Mind's eyes," Leon said, his consciousness transported into Arthur's mind. As his powers activated, he fell to the floor while Arthur remained standing.

The area Leon's powers sent him to was grim and sad, enough to send a person's mental health into a downward spiral. All that was in sight was a black sky and a black ocean.

Leon rubbed his head, standing on black liquid. He looked around as his eyes widened. "Where am I?"

A throne of skeletons formed in front of Leon, and a shadowed man sat criss-cross on it. That shadowed man was Ruhtra. "Who dares stand in front of me?"

"I am-"

Ruhtra cut Leon off and said, "If you're not here to convey any comedic effect, then why even bring yourself here?"

"My mind's eye finds out a person's memory. I should be able to discover any part of a person's memory."

"Don't make me repeat myself. What joke do you have for me?"

Leon ignored Ruhtra. When he attempted to rationalize how his powers went wrong, confusion arose. He could see with his mind. This ability allowed him to find information in someone's mind. At first, his ability may seem overwhelming. However, to enter the mind of the person he is pursuing, he must arrange his presence in their mind, and to do this, he has to faint. It wasn't a reasonable ability for a battle because the interrogee was still functional — Arthur could kill Leon since he was still conscious, unlike Leon.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Disappointing," Ruhtra said. "After that boy presented one of the most entertaining comedy sessions, all you offer is fear? That joke has been overdone for millenniums."

Leon mustered up the courage and spoke as he shivered. "Are you The Wanderer?"

"Me?" Ruhtra asked, his white teeth showing as he smiled. He laughed and smacked the arm of his throne. "Now, this is comedy. Good one. Good one, young chap. Encore. Encore. Encore fucking-core!"

Leon looked around, trying to escape. His powers only displayed words, but — for some reason — he was facing a man. He wasn't sure what he had done wrong, but he needed to leave now. The only problem was his ability wasn't working, and he couldn't exit the accursed place through his usual methods.

"Don't look so scared. You've made a funny joke, so keep at it. Keep barking."

"Who are you? You're not Arthur..."

Ruhtra chuckled and shook his head. "Perhaps fear is still in season. I hate to admit that."

"Who are you?!"

"Ruhtra is my name. And for that young boy you speak of, we're not the same. Far from it, actually."

"How is that possible... How are you?"

"Silence," Ruhtra said, grabbing his own head and closing his eyes. "At first, I thought you were here to entertain me, not question me."

Leon fell to his knees, his Tuam almost depleted. "So you are The Wanderer..."

"That joke was funny at first. However, I'm not a fan of repeated gimmicks. It's quite vulgar to think I thought you were joking, but it seems you're serious."

Leon couldn't speak, blood dripping out of his mouth and into the black liquid, becoming one with it. Fear continued surging throughout him, his body shaking, and his vision blurred as he grabbed his eyes and scratched them out of his sockets.

Ruhtra stood up from his throne and neared Leon. "Fine, I'll tell you what you seek, but it will only cost you your sanity. I'm, in fact... Not The Wanderer, but as for that boy, only time will tell." He placed his hand in front of Leon and licked his lips. "Thank you for the meal."

In the meeting room, everyone fell silent as they stared at Leon. Arthur was sitting next to Zoork and eating his bulk meals. He finished four of the shopper bags that had containers of food in them.

"Does anyone want some?" he asked, holding a piece of chicken.

Everyone eyed him but ignored him and looked back at Leon.

"Well, I'll help myself, I guess." Arthur shrugged and continued eating.

Leon stood up, his eyes all white. "Arthur Penfish, Arthur Penfish, Arthur Penfish, Arthur Penfish, Arthur Penfish..." His voice grew more scared as he spoke. "Arthur Penfish, Arthur Penfish..."

"Arthur, what the fuck did you do?" Meth asked, hesitantly scratching his head.

"Don't even blame this one on me," Arthur said, finishing the last bit of his rice chicken.

Arthur stood up and looked around at all the geriatrics. "You know, for being leaders of an organization. You all sure are really passive. Your friend just died.."

None of the geriatrics replied and continued watching Leon's behaviors.

"You'd think there would be at least a reaction to one of your companions acting insane," Arthur said, his eyebrow furrowed up.

Meth tried touching Leon. But he pushed him away and crouched on the floor, placing his hands over his head, almost like he was trying to hide by covering himself.

"Arthur Penfish, Arthur Penfish, Arthur Penfish!" he said, almost like he was crying. He stood up and teetered towards Arthur, falling to his feet. "Arthur Penfish is the man that I saw! Arthur Penfish is Arthur Penfish is Arthur Penfish!"

"Meth, would you mind explaining what the hell I'm seeing?"

"I don't need a mind's eye to tell you he's gone insane..."

"Good one," Arthur said, kicking Leon off him, but he kept crawling back onto his feet and crying. He kept kicking him off, pondering. 'I need shoes.'

At last, one of the geriatrics stood up and decided not to act like an NPC. Selka stood up and grabbed Leon by the hair. "I'll dismiss myself from today's meeting. As for recognizing Arthur as The Wanderer, I couldn't care less." She left the room, dragging Leon out with her.

Meth looked around at the remaining members and asked, "Are there any questions?"

The room continued hushed until Tihun stood up and tilted her head, looking at Arthur. "Wanderer, how will you change our world?"

"I..." he said but paused and looked at Meth. He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. The whole day was spontaneous. No matter, the answer was clear as day to him. "I'm not sure how or if I can change your world, but I know I'll succeed in one thing. No matter what, I'll put Lewis Bird in a fishbowl. I'll change my world."

"Meth, would you mind explaining how that helps us?"

Meth walked to his seat and sat down. He placed his hand behind his head and smiled. "We're preparing to dismantle the agency. All those heroes will beg at our feet. Arthur is a part of this plan."

Tihun grimaced and laughed, shaking her head as her braids flopped side to side. "That's all I needed to hear. Until that day comes, I will patiently remain in wait!." She stared at Arthur, leaving the room — her face couldn't help but appear joyful as she cried while laughing.

The remaining individuals stayed, none of them moving. Arthur gazed at them for a while, unable to comprehend what had happened. One minute, a man became insane, and now everyone was calm.

"So?" Arthur asked. "What now?"

Orri grinned and stood up, walking towards Arthur. Her purple eyes gazed at Arthur. "As you said, our journeys will only begin when The Wanderer appears." Her eyes sparkled as she smiled and left the room. "Meth, I'm ready whenever you are."

Arthur was beyond confused, so he thought little of it, and instead, he watched everyone, waiting for the next person to walk up to him while leaving. Everyone was odd, but who was Arthur to judge? He was a fish.

Five people were remaining. Three geriatrics: Jolene, Zoork, and Meth, and two members: Arthur and the girl that stood behind Jolene.

Meth sat back down on his seat and rubbed his eyes. "Now that it's only us four-"

Jolene turned around, looking at the brown-haired girl that stood behind her. "Vanilla, leave."

"Right away, ma'am," she said.

Meth raised his hand and smiled. "Not so fast. Vanilla is a big part of our future. She needs to stay."

"Pardon," Jolene said, narrowing her eyes.

"Arthur is joining a squad with Vanilla and Void."

"Void?" Vanilla shouted, but she placed her hand over her mouth. Her face turned red as she sat down, staring at the table.

Jolene ignored her sister's behavior and glanced at Meth. "Vanilla is pretty much useless on the field, so why?"

"We cannot measure her effectiveness solely through power. I, out of all people, should know that. So what do you say, Vanilla? Are you willing to form a group with Arthur and Void?"

"I'd love to," she said without hesitation.

"Suit yourself," Jolene said, closing her eyes. She stepped out of her seat and walked to the door, stopping near it as she turned around. "Is this because Void told you Leon was a traitor?"

"How deceptive," Meth said. "You could say something around that area and other stuff you don't need to know. At least for now."

She left the room and closed the door.

"Leon was a traitor?" Zoork asked, still maintaining a look of disbelief on his face.

"Due diligence, my brother, due diligence," Meth said with a sly smile on his face. "Arthur and Vanilla, you two need to get acquainted. Void should be here soon."

"Who's void?" Arthur asked.

"Void. He's one of the greatest people in our organization," Vanilla said enthusiastically, but she stopped, peeking at the end of the table. Meth was ready to speak, and she accidentally cut him off.

"Someone's happy to see him," Meth said, pressing his lips together as he smiled. "But Vanilla's right. He's quite remarkable. I'd say he's stronger than any of the geriatrics, and to put that into perspective, that hero you fought is on par with some of the geriatrics."

Arthur's eyes widened. "No way..."

"Yes, way," Meth said, tapping his fingers on the table. "He should be here any minute."

Thousands of miles away from Meth's mansion, four heroes found a man near an abandoned train station. One hero yelled, "Void, we have you surrounded!"