Additionally, to the tunnel system in the mound, there were compartments on its sides where individuals lived. The number of people wasn't known because it wasn't entirely measurable since the tunnel expands daily, and no one knows why it extends, but the wolves took advantage of this phenomenon by creating a refuge in it. A sanctuary that any animal can partake in, a location of freedom.

"Rise and shine," Meth said as he stamped his foot on Arthur's forehead, pressing into his skin.

Arthur groaned, his eyes half open as he grabbed Meth's shoe, pushing him away. He stood up from the mud he slept on and rubbed his eyes, giving a death stare at Meth. But he shook his head and ignored the abrupt wake-up, not thinking much of it.

"Hurry up, shrimp."

Arthur licked his dry lips and yawned, placing his hand on his mouth. "Sleeping in a human body is weird."

"Now that's a sentence I've never heard."

Zoork meditated on the floor but stopped, opening one eye and looking at Meth. "I've achieved Limak, so if you're done sleeping, let's move."

Limak, simply put, is when a user reaches their maximum Tuam capacity. In Zoork's case, he needed a full night to regain his highest capability.

Meth saluted Zoork, smiling. "Roger Roger."

Zoork ignored him and stood up, walking forward. Arthur and Meth followed. They left their chamber and walked past many other animals that sought refuge in the compartments of the area — among the creatures were considerable wolves but also normal animals who couldn't speak: squirrels, raccoons, and whatnot.

After leaving the dirt mound, the trio encountered a considerable amount of wolves, much more than yesterday. Thirty surrounded the area, fiercely gazing at the trio as they walked. Their eyes flared like an animal who hadn't eaten in days.

The Alpha wolf and the human-wolf trailed behind the trio. The Alpha growled and said, "Meth, don't you dare show yourself again. And as for your fish friend, I'd recommend he vacate your company."

Meth turned around and narrowed his eyes, growing a slight smile. "When you need us, don't be afraid to ask."

"What?" the Alpha asked, gritting his broken teeth. "Don't you dare assume we'd sink our pride for a jester?"

"When you need it, I'll be there for you folk," Meth said, raising his hand in the air and giving a peace sign.

All the wolves growled except the human-wolf as the trio ventured into the woods.

The forest was somewhat distinct with its tall trees and extensive wildlife, but nothing too out of the ordinary, which was expected — deforestation wasn't an issue around these parts. Maybe existing civilizations didn't have a use for it, or more likely, it was too much effort to make use of.

The trio ran into the forest, using a straight path that wasn't bombarded with vegetation, there were still obstacles like bushes and trees, but it wasn't too demanding to pass or avoid. They ran for around ten minutes until Arthur had enough.

Arthur pushed a branch out of his face and yelled, "Why can't we just use Zoork's powers!"

Zoork was in front of the group, and despite his chunky build, he was quite agile. He stopped at unobstructed land with no vegetation — the area was a wide circle of damp soil and nothing else, a place not too large but not miniature.

"I've already told you this," Zoork said. "Because of the FQ rule."

"What the hell is an FQ rule?"

Meth intervened. "How the hell are you even a fish?"

Arthur tilted his head and closed his eyes, pointing at Meth as he shook his head. "What does that even have to do with..." He took a deep breath. "I'm the one who asked first."

"Shut up, both of you," Zoork said, kneeling on the floor and placing his palm on the dirt. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his Tuam. "I need one hour until I finish negotiating transportation." Zoork grew deep into his Tuam enactment, meaning he couldn't see or hear anything.

"Fine," Meth said, glancing around at the forest and then at Arthur. "The FQ rule dictates Tuam abilities since the only way to use Tuam to its fullest potential is to set requirements on your powers. Zoork can only teleport because he has limitations on his powers."

"That doesn't even make sense. Even if it did, why not set weak restrictions?"

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"You can't set weak restrictions because the tougher your rules, the better the results," he said. "Zoork can only perform transportation if he has seen the place before, mentally pictures where he wants to go, touches the people while transporting, and knows the names of the people he's teleporting. That's just the basics of his rules... He has way more. If Zoork didn't set these restrictions, his ability wouldn't be as effective."

A silence followed, Arthur not responding. He stared into the sky, clenching his fists. "How does this help me? How does this information help me achieve what I want?"

"What?" Meth questioned, nearing Arthur.

Arthur didn't know what to say. Only one thing was coursing through his mind. 'What ability should I use to put Lewis in a fishbowl?' His eyes pulsed as he glared at his hands, his fingers becoming webbed and scales growing on them.

"Arthur."

Arthur didn't understand why he was alive. He decided to die as a fish, not exist as a human. He chose to die as a fish, yet now he was wandering as a human. The same creatures that offered him nothing but pain, misery, and... It didn't matter to him: what they did or why because he was now one of them, now all that mattered was the fact he was living as a human. He was human.

"Arthur."

Even if he had to work with the same beings that massacred his yearnings and dreams, he was willing to cooperate if they aided his new goal. At the very least, he wished for such.

"Arthur!" Meth grabbed Arthur's shoulders, shaking him.

Arthur opened his eyes, his orange pupils dimming as he stared at the ground, then at Meth, opening his mouth to speak, but he shut his eyes and pressed his lips together. His face quivered, his fishlike features disappearing.

Meth shook his head and sighed, his face growing a revolted demeanor, almost like he could throw up. "What are you doing? Do you really think this will get you closer to your goal?"

Arthur didn't reply. He stood still, looking into Meth's eyes. It's not like he didn't know what to say, but he didn't want to say it. He didn't want to admit that he was still a fish out of the water, dying of suffocation.

"I wanted you to join my organization, but I'm afraid I was foolish. Foolish to believe a fish could control his emotions and not act like a five-year-old on a tantrum."

Arthur wasn't sure what got into him. One moment, he was fine, while the next, his emotions overtook him. It's not like Meth lured him into expressing his feelings, but he still let them all out.

Meth walked away from Arthur toward Zoork, but he turned back and looked down at the floor. "Turn back to the wolf mound. They'll help you. As for my organization, act as if all of this never happened... For your own sake..."

Arthur's plans sank down the toilet. Over something so trivial, Meth just gave up on him. He couldn't help but question why Meth helped him all this way, yet he couldn't have tolerated him a little more, but that's when it struck him: he was no longer a goldfish. All his goals, dreams, and actions transcended those of a fish. No, he had become more than that.

He was still acting like a fish in a human's world.

Arthur Penfish ran into the heavily vegetated forest as thoughts circled his mind, but he continued forward, further and further. If he stopped running, he knew his thoughts would engulf him, so he pushed through the bushes and branches, letting some smack him in the face, but he never stopped. In fact, he didn't look back once.

The forest was vast, and one could easily get lost, especially since it was uninhabited by humans. The sun's light brightened the area, illuminating the once-dark forest and revealing all types of wildlife, an area prosperous and plentiful with life.

Arthur started to notice small creatures: yellow lemurs, orange birds, brown squirrels, and much more. His stomach growled in pain, staring at the animals, and he couldn't help but lick his lips, smiling as a lemur curiously wobbled towards him.

The lemur scratched his head, approaching Arthur. The creature had never seen a human before, and reasonably, it should have been more scared than curious, but no matter, it still neared Arthur.

Arthur drooled as he stared at the lemur and extended his hand towards it, his fingers twitching. He grabbed the lemur and swallowed it in one gulp, chewing minimally as his eyes shut in dread, a tart taste splattering on his taste buds.

He wasn't sure why he ate the lemur, but he did, and now his stomach didn't hurt as much as it did before. He assumed it was because of hunger. Still, eating something raw so hastily wasn't his preference but more instinctual.

He continued running and heard a splashing in the distance. Curious about what it was, he ran towards the sound.

Deep into the forest was a lake, nothing too large, connected to a stream. The greenery diminished as one got closer to the lake, gray rocks emerging with algae on them. The circular lake with gravel and sand was a spectacle, and the sunlight beaming down onto the blue water made the scene even more majestic.

Arthur kneeled on the gravel and cupped his hands, placing them in the water and drinking from them. The cold blue water refreshed his parched mouth. Still thirsty, he walked into the river, slowly emerging into the water until he got his stomach deep. He slammed his head into the water and drank from it, remaining afloat as he stood, but the current pushed him further, forcing him to swim.

The water was full of tiny fish, ranging from minnows to mollies. Green seaweed flared under the water, fish swimming through it.

A stunning environment, an area where any fish would yearn to live.

Gills formed on Arthur's neck as he kept his head under the water. He watched the fish chase each other and have... fun.

One of the fish swam toward Arthur but quickly swam away, and strangely enough, all the fish swam away into the seaweed.

"Why?" Arthur asked, bubbles escaping from his mouth. "Don't leave."

"Leave?" a voice asked as a ringing ensued in Arthur's head.

Arthur spattered his arms and legs, his head feeling like it had exploded, and out of concern, he grabbed his head and sank as the thick seaweed grazed and wrapped around him. He descended to the bottom of the lake bed, the water becoming murky as he hit the mud.

"Why not? Have you not left yourself?"

Arthur widened his eyes, looking around as he spoke in a fearful manner. "Shut up..."

"How pitiful. You want to silence me? Silencing the one who's permitted you to get this far? Indeed, how deplorable filth can be."

Arthur clenched his teeth, looking around, but the area was still brown from the mud — murky. He couldn't see anyone or anything.

"Fine, I'll show you."

A fish swam out of the murky water, face to face with Arthur. The fish was a goldfish, not any kind, but a white-finned goldfish.