The interrogation room was well lit, the bright light magic panels causing the room to feel sterile walls. James Patterson sat alone at the table, his muscular frame tense with anticipation as he eyed Thartis across from him. Sweat trickled down his brow, but he remained focused on the task at hand – extracting information from this peculiar individual.

"Alright, Thartis," James began, his voice steady despite the uncertainty that plagued him. "I need you to tell me everything you know about what happened."

Thartis squinted in the dim light, his eyes darting between James and the door. He swallowed hard, his throat dry from fear and the stale air of the room. "I-I don't know anything," he stammered, avoiding James's piercing gaze.

A former US Marine, James was no stranger to high-pressure situations. He had spent countless hours training back on Earth, developing a sharp mind and a keen eye for detail. This would serve him well in his pursuit of answers.

"See, I have a theory about what happened," James said, leaning forward, his eyes locked onto Thartis. "And I think you know more than you're letting on."

Thartis shook his head vigorously, his voice cracking as he spoke. "N-no, I swear! I don't know anything!"

James clenched his jaw and took a deep breath, mentally calculating the precise amount of force he'd need to apply in order to make his point without causing lasting damage. His years of experience with hand-to-hand combat and tactical training guided his decision. In one swift motion, James slaped Thartis's face, the impact reverberating through the room.

"Listen," James growled, his voice low and menacing. "I don't want to hurt you, but I need answers. People's lives are at stake here, and I'm not going to let you stand in the way of the truth."

Thartis's eyes widened in fear, his breathing rapid and shallow as he stared at James's clenched fist. He hesitated for a moment, weighing his options, before finally relenting.

"Alright," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'll tell you what I know."

James leaned back in his chair, his heart pounding in his chest as he mentally prepared himself for the information that was about to come. He knew that each piece of the puzzle would bring him closer to understanding this strange new world and the forces that governed it. And with any luck, it would also help him protect the ones he cared about most.

James's instincts told him that something was off. Thartis seemed ready to spill the beans, but the fear in his eyes didn't quite match up with his willingness to cooperate. James decided to test his theory.

"Thirsty?" he asked casually, as he reached for a pitcher of water that sat on the table. He poured some into a cup and slid it toward Thartis.

"Uh, yeah, thanks," Thartis replied, eyeing the cup nervously.

Without warning, James snatched the cup back and splashed its contents onto Thartis's face. Immediately, an ear-piercing screech filled the room, causing both men to wince. The sound seemed to emanate from inside Thartis himself.

"Get it out! Get it out!" Thartis screamed, clawing at his own throat.

"Talk!" James demanded, realizing the water had triggered the creature within Thartis. "Tell me what you're hiding!"

"Alright! Alright!" Thartis choked out, coughing and sputtering. "There's a... a parasite controlling me. It thrives on water and attaches itself to those who drink from contaminated sources. I wasn't acting on my own when I did those things. Please, I'm innocent in all this."

"Interesting," James mused, filing away this new information about the world and its dangers. "How do we get rid of this thing?"

"Fire! Fire can cleanse the host and destroy the parasite," Thartis said, desperation clear in his voice.

"Fine," James replied, not yet ready to trust him completely. "But first, you tell me everything else I need to know."

"Your threats don't scare me, Earthman," Thartis spat, resorting to insults as a distraction. "You're nothing but an ignorant outsider, meddling in things you can't comprehend."

James didn't let the words affect him. He knew Thartis was trying to buy time and manipulate him. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, piecing together the information and figuring out how to deal with the parasite.

"Talk," James ordered again, his voice steady and authoritative. "Or I'll make sure that thing inside you suffers before it dies."

"Alright, I'll talk!" Thartis shouted, finally defeated. "But please, promise me you'll help me get rid of this thing. I need food, clean water, and fire. Can you do that?"

"First, tell me everything," James said firmly. "Then we'll see what I can do."

The room was very bright. James, his hands balled into fists and veins pulsing at his temples, glared at Thartis as he desperately pleaded his innocence.

"Please, you have to believe me," Thartis implored, his eyes wide with fear. "I didn't want any of this. I never asked for that creature to control me!"

James's mind raced, his resourcefulness and ability to think on his feet kicking into high gear. He needed to keep Thartis talking, but also maintain control of the situation. He decided to feign anger, hoping to pressure Thartis into revealing more.

"Shut up!" James roared, slamming his fist onto the table between them. "You expect me to just accept your pathetic excuses? You're a liar and a traitor! Maybe I should just kill you right now and put an end to all this!"

Thartis flinched, visibly shaken by James's outburst. "I swear, it's the truth! If you'll just give me a chance, I can prove it!"

Just as James was about to respond, the door burst open, and the Duke and Rouke stormed into the room. They had been watching the interrogation through a hidden peephole and were driven by their motivation to keep James away from Thartis.

"Enough!" the Duke bellowed, his face flushed with anger. "Step away from him, James."

Rouke grabbed James by the arm, his grip strong and unyielding. James could feel the tension in Rouke's grasp, betraying the concern he felt for the situation. The Duke stood protectively in front of Thartis, shielding him from James's reach.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

"Let go of me!" James demanded, struggling against Rouke's hold. Inwardly, he knew they had there part to play.

"James, we can't let you harm Thartis," the Duke insisted, his voice firm yet laced with a hint of sympathy. "We need to find out the truth together, without resorting to violence."

With a final, frustrated grunt, James stopped fighting Rouke's grip. In his mind, he was working out the next steps of his plan, considering how to approach the situation differently.

"Fine," he conceded, his voice icy. "But don't expect me to trust him blindly."

"Trust must be earned," the Duke agreed, his eyes locked on James's. "But for now, we need to work together if we are to uncover the truth about this parasite and rid our world of its menace."

As they all stood in that brightly lit chamber, each driven by their own motivations and desires, it became apparent that the path forward would be filled with challenges and revelations. And James, ever the resourceful and determined strategist, knew he would need every ounce of his strength and cunning to navigate the treacherous road ahead.

Rouke led James out of the interrogation room, the heavy door locking behind them with a resounding thud. The Duke gestured for Rouke to wait outside before re-entering the chamber, his face set with determination.

"Thartis," the Duke began, positioning himself opposite the weary prisoner. "I understand that you've been through a lot lately. However, we need to learn more about this creature controlling you in order to help both you and our world."

Thartis winced as he shifted in his seat, the marks from his recent ordeal still raw. Despite his pain, his eyes sparkled with curiosity, the innate desire for knowledge overcoming his current predicament.

"Your Grace, I too wish to understand the nature of this creature," Thartis admitted, his voice hoarse but sincere. "It has taken much from me, and I would see it eradicated just as much as you would."

The Duke nodded, relieved by Thartis's cooperation. "Very well. We shall work together to get to the bottom of this. But first, do you require anything? Food, water, or perhaps a fire to provide better light?"

"Thank you, Your Grace," Thartis replied, his gratitude evident. "A simple meal, some water, and a small fire to warm my bones and chase away the shadows would be most welcome."

"Of course," the Duke agreed, making a mental note of Thartis's requests. The mention of fire piqued his interest, as it seemed an unusual request considering the circumstances. He filed this information away, intending to discuss it later with James and Rouke.

As Thartis began to devour the food brought forth by the Duke, he couldn't help but ponder over the implications of fire in their world. Magic had long been intertwined with the elements, each carrying its own unique properties and capabilities. What secrets might fire hold in relation to the creature that had tormented him?

Outside, James paced restlessly, his resourcefulness and experience urging him to take action. As a former US Marine and avid learner of various crafts, he knew all too well the importance of understanding one's environment and tools at hand. He needed to regroup with the Duke and Rouke, to share theories and insights that could potentially unravel the mystery surrounding Thartis and the parasitic creature.

"Rouke," James muttered under his breath, "we need to get the Duke out of there as soon as the Duke is done. I've got ideas, but we need to work together on this."

"Agreed," Rouke nodded, his eyes fixed on the door separating them from Thartis and the Duke. "Just be patient, James. We'll have answers soon enough."

The Duke rose from his seat, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "I'll see what I can do about your requests," he said, placing a hand on Thartis' shoulder in a gesture of reassurance. As he turned to leave the brightly lit room, he cast one last glance at Thartis before closing the door behind him, the lock clicking into place with an air of finality.

Outside, James stood with Rouke, his eyes filled with determination as he clenched and unclenched his calloused hands. His mind raced with theories, images of the creature that had controlled Thartis playing like a macabre film reel before his eyes. He knew there was something more to this situation, some piece of the puzzle that had eluded them thus far.

"James," the Duke said, joining their small huddle outside the interrogation room. "I've spoken with Thartis. It seems he's just as desperate for answers as we are."

"Did he say anything useful?" James asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

"Only bits and pieces," the Duke admitted, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But there was one thing... He requested fire to provide better light."

"Fire?" Rouke raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two men.

"Interesting," James mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "In our world, fire has always represented change, transformation. Perhaps it has some bearing on the creature controlling Thartis."

"Or maybe there's a more practical reason," the Duke suggested. "Perhaps the creature is weakened by fire, or even repelled by it."

"Either way," James said, his eyes narrowing, "we need to understand more about the creature and how it operates. If fire holds any significance, we should explore that connection."

"Agreed," Rouke chimed in, his gaze locked on the interrogation room door. "We should also consider other elements and see if there's any correlation. In my travels, I've heard tales of ancient civilizations that harnessed the power of water to drive out evil spirits."

"An interesting thought," the Duke conceded, his arms folded across his chest. "We may need to look into these legends and see if they hold any relevance to our current situation."

"Right," James said, his voice firm and resolute. "We need to gather as much information as possible and use it to get to the bottom of this mystery. The stakes are too high for us to leave anything to chance."

As the trio continued their discussion, a sense of urgency hung in the air like a thick fog. Each man knew that time was running short, and with every passing moment, the threat posed by the creature grew more ominous. They had to find a way to stop it, and soon – before the darkness threatened to consume them all.

A flickering torchlight danced across the stone walls, casting eerie shadows as James, the Duke, and Rouke continued their discussion. The sound of water dripping resonated through the dimly lit corridor, creating an unsettling ambiance that only heightened their tension.

"Rouke, you mentioned something about ancient civilizations earlier," James said, his eyes narrowed in thought. "Wasn't there a group of people who used fire to communicate?"

"Ah, yes, the Pyrosignari," Rouke responded, his voice tinged with fascination. "They were a secretive group of individuals who believed that fire was the purest form of communication. They would use controlled flames to send messages across great distances."

"Controlled flames?" James asked, intrigued by the concept.

"Indeed," Rouke continued. "Imagine a series of torches arranged on a hillside, each one capable of being ignited or extinguished at will. By manipulating the pattern of light and darkness, they could relay complex messages over vast distances."

"Interesting," James mused, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "Could this have anything to do with the creature's connection to fire?"

"Perhaps," Rouke admitted. "It's possible that the creature is somehow using fire as a means to control its hosts."

"Thartis, is the former blacksmith's assistant,"James pondering "He has a tendancy to work the forge way more than anyone else. I wonder if this parasite or puppet master used fire to get to him."

"We will need to get the team together, We will need Felix first as he is most likely to know this civilization. I am pretty sure you have him close by." with a sparkle in his eye. "I am pretty sure he is one of your Shadow people." As James started going over an idea to use this to his advantage he wants to turn this into there favor but it will be dangerous.

"An intriguing theory," the Duke said, his brow furrowed in concentration. "But how do we know for certain that it will work? And what risks are we taking if we attempt such a tactic?"

"Those are valid concerns," James acknowledged, his determination unwavering. "But I believe it's a risk worth taking. We've seen the destruction this creature can cause, and we can't afford to let it continue."

"Very well," the Duke conceded, a mixture of resolve and trepidation in his eyes. "We'll prepare for this plan of yours, but proceed with caution. The last thing we need is to inadvertently harm Thartis or anyone else."

"Understood," James said, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. As they moved to gather the necessary supplies, he couldn't help but wonder if his gamble would pay off. But with lives hanging in the balance, there was no room for doubt – only action.