Arthur closed his eyes and concentrated. His breaths were slow yet heavy, not differing as his brain raced at a thousand miles per hour. He persisted in thinking about FQ. He knew there had to be some sort of rule that would compliment him, but what could possibly allow him to kill a Hero?

Still, he knew his confusion wouldn't help and would only hinder him. If he was going to succeed at his goal, he needed to take it slow and do it right. After all, slow and steady wins the swim.

His thoughts flooded his brain, but he needed to sort them, not let them drown him, so he sat criss-cross, letting his butt mold into the velvet bed, which allowed him a comfortable position. He relaxed his back and omitted all the futile thoughts, only thinking about his current predicament.

A shift of attitude compelled the world around Arthur to become tranquil like calm water. Not only were his thoughts organized, but he finally started considering rules. He imagined himself in a more peaceful situation. Water trickled into the room from the ceiling, and everything rippled into... water. He felt at peace, sitting on a clear and beautiful liquid. He was in harmony because the simplicity of the surroundings ascertained how he still had so many possibilities. His canvas was clear for drawing whatever future he pleased — a beautiful ocean limitless of potential.

"What have you done here?" Ruhtra asked, sitting on his throne. Although the sky and water were a clam blue, his figure was still a shadow.

Arthur ignored him. He instead thought about what Meth told him. He knew his power was wavelike, and he had a glove that allowed him to store his excess Tuam. But he still was frustrated about what he could do with those opportunities.

"Hey, dumbass. You're ruining my vibe," Ruhtra said. "Return my home to normal. Or else."

"Or what?" Arthur asked with one eye open. "You'll mess with me?"

Ruhtra slammed his hand against his throne's arm. "Return this rainbow shit to normal. Now. I don't like the mornings, truthfully I prefer the dark."

"I only give favors for favors. What do you offer?" Arthur nodded with his eyes closed. He knew he was overstepping his boundaries, and he barely understood how he made the area clear and sunny, but if Ruhtra cared enough about it, maybe he could extract some information.

"Heyy. Don't you think you're being a tad irritating?" Ruhtra asked, rubbing his thumb on his temple.

"I found it peculiar how I knew about the world, its language, and even its culture, but I knew nothing about Tuam." Arthur smiled and opened both his eyes. "So, I came up with only one solution. If you could affect my insides, such as my feelings, then what's stopping you from influencing my thoughts? In fact, I can bet you're the one that stopped the geriatric who entered my mind."

Ruhtra clenched his shiny white teeth and placed his hands on his knees as he sat criss-cross. "What do you want?"

"Since I'm in your body, is it fair to assume I'm also using your powers?"

Ruhtra chuckled and held his chest. "You may possess the sources to my abilities. But we are leagues away."

"Mind helping me close that gap?"

"I'm not your servant or nanny. Learn it yourself."

"Honestly, I don't mind doing so. I'd love to spend years learning in this beautiful weather, but the real question is, would you?"

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Ruhtra widened his eyes, clenching his fists. He closed his mouth but opened it to talk as his once bright smile disappeared. "So what? Sure, I limited some of your knowledge, but why should I divulge my past to you?"

"I don't care enough about your past. Just let me know more about Tuam, or at least give me a hint about what I should do? I mean, it's up to you. I rather prefer this weather because it sure does help me learn."

He took a deep breath. "You use a different technique than I did in my days, but there's something you could do to make it more impactful. First of all, our Tuam is sourced by water, but you employ raw Tuam. Still, you got better at manifesting it. But it's not close enough. At least not yet. You're still too feeble to teach anything significant."

"You know this weather is so amazing that I may just imagine it forever!"

Ruhtra clicked his tongue. "Though you're still a baby when it comes to Tuam. I'll admit your effusion is extraordinary. I believe the gauntlet Zoork gave you is a key element to your powers."

"You know Zoork?"

"I see and hear what you do." He shook his head and continued speaking. "Your glove allows you to store Tuam, so use your left hand as your primary attack, have it release raw Tuam, so effusion. Your right hand will be your knockout hand, and you'll use it only for conjuration."

"But what about an FQ rule? Don't I need to set a restriction?"

"Wow. You sure are not the savviest fish in the ocean. Set the restriction so that your right hand can only conjure while your left can only effuse."

"What should the punishment be?"

"If you break it, I take over."

"I'm not stupid. You'll just influence me to use the wrong hand."

"First of all, the greater the risk, the better performance, and second, I'm not planning on taking over. EVER. I just want to watch you and your damn comedy show that you call a life."

"Only if you make an FQ rule with me. Like Meth did. That way I know you won't take over on purpose."

"Why should I make a rule with you? Does this look like a playdate or something to you?"

"Nah, but it sure looks like a gorgeous day," Arthur said, yawning with his hand over his mouth.

"Fine. I'll agree if you vow to never change the scenery here. I don't know about you, but I enjoy watching my movies in the dark, not during the day."

"Deal," he said, looking at the sky and imagining darkness. The area shifted upside down, and so did the sky, everything reversing into the night. It took his brain a few seconds to comprehend what happened, but eventually, he did.

"I vow to never purposely take over Arthur Penfish's body, and if I do, death is the only reasonable option." Ruhtra clasped his hand and nodded. "My FQ contract is completed, now go ahead and bring me some comedy."

"I, Arthur Penfish, will only use effusion on my left hand and conjuration on my right, and if I ever switch them, then Ruhtra gains full control of my body. I also vow to never change the scenery of this place, wherever this place is."

"Now get out of here," Ruhtra said, placing his arm against his throne and leaning against it. "Shoo."

Arthur sank to the bottom of the black water. He opened his eyes to Meth, shaking him awake.

"Bloody hell, man," Meth said, stepping back while avoiding a black garbage bag next to his feet. "What kinda lunatic sleeps criss-cross?"

Arthur let his body fall onto the bed, spreading his arms and legs. "Ahh, this feels good."

"Yeah, well, it's over. In twenty minutes, your squad's leaving for a mission. You probably want to leave right now."

Arthur sighed and sat up, looking at Meth. "Alright, let's go."

"About that, I'm not coming. I have something I need to attend. But don't worry because Zoork will accompany you."

"I won't even bother asking you about the details, but is there food at least?"

Meth nodded and picked up a black garbage bag, placing it next to Arthur. "I also got you some clothes and shoes."

"Thanks..." Arthur rubbed his eyes, standing up and opening the bag. He took out the shoes, a yellow and white pair of high tops with a red upside-down smiley face on its sides. He put the shoes on with no socks, committing terrible shame upon his whole fish lineage, even if they don't have feet. Only psychos wear shoes with no socks.

"Zoork is waiting for you on the first floor," Meth said, pointing to the door. "Now hurry and let me get some well-needed shut-eye."

"Yeah, whatever," Arthur said, holding his bag and leaving the room. He entered the elevator and descended to the first floor. He couldn't help but wonder if he was ready to kill a hero. After his last encounter, he knew those labeled as heroes earned it for a reason, and he was far from as prepared as they were. Closing his eyes, he ignored the shit music and thought. 'Is my new FQ enough to kill a hero? Or is there something else I need to do?"

The elevator door opened, and three individuals stood in front of him, busy talking to one another.

'I got this,' Arthur thought, stepping out of the elevator and waving at the group. 'I'll do this my way, and I'll win.'