"Makoto, where do you come from?" Pazu asked when they were deep in the cave with only the light emitted from the crystal in Makoto's glove to guide them.
"We never truly stayed in one place." He replied. "Our family was always on the move. I guess our true home would always be Laputa."
They sat down on the ground. Makoto took some large books out of his pack and gave them to Sheeta and Pazu. "These books are some my father made when he went searching for Laputa again." He said. "They have the history of Laputa, how to mine Etherium and the orbiting path of the castle. All this, and much more is in these books. These are some of the things that the military is after."
Sheeta flicked through the pages carefully, marveling softly at the great care given to the writing and drawings. "Your father must have been a great pilot." She said to Makoto. "Yeah, he was." He replied sadly. "Until the military killed him. Thought he had found out too much about the castle in the sky and they shot his airship down."
"I'm really sorry, Makoto." Sheeta placed the book back in his pack.
"Yeah, it's nothing." Makoto grunted as he snapped the locks on the books back on again. "You'll never get used to it, but it's something you have to live with."
"We know." Pazu said sadly.
Makoto whispered something, and the light in his glove went out. "It's time to listen to what the rocks have to say." He told them. "And I must show you something."
For a moment, they were clothed in darkness. Then, eerie blue light started to glow from the rocks, just like they did in the mine two years ago.
Pazu gasped. The rocks were even brighter than in the mine, and they seemed to be alive.
Makoto listened to the humming of the Etherium for a moment, then he took the crystal out of his pack. Unlike other rocks, it glowed bright red.
"How is that?" Pazu said in astonishment. "Why isn't it blue?"
"Etherium, unlike other elements, is very special." Makoto said as he took a rock in his hand. "They listen to us humans as we listen to them, and can be altered and changed in many ways." Taking the rock, he struck it on the ground. Inside, the Etherium moved like waves in a pool. Then for some strange reason, they turned into flames and started dancing before it disappeared. "This is how you can say spells to your crystal, Sheeta, and it obeys. This is how it recognizes and only works for you, and no-one else." Makoto put the pieces onto the ground. "Now then, please, could you tell me about your adventures on Laputa?"
And they did. They told him everything, from how Sheeta had floated from the sky into Pazu's arms to how they destroyed the weapon systems of Laputa with the spell of destruction, leaving it behind as a beautiful garden.
"Pretty impressive adventure you had, then," Makoto commented as they finished.
"Yeah, I guess it was quite amazing." Pazu said.
Makoto seemed silent for a while. His face was a picture of real intense concentration. "Time to go," He said as he relit the light on his glove. "The rocks whisper men have entered the cave."
"Sir!" The soldiers hurried through the cave after their general. "Come on, we don't have time!" The general snapped as he sprinted through the passages. Suddenly, he stopped. "Come out, Makoto!" He yelled. "I know you're in this area! You don't cover your tracks really easily!" When no-one answered, he added, "And bring your little princess with you too!"
Still no-one answered. Soon, the general decided to bring dirty tactics into play. "Makoto, you never found out what happened to your father," he sneered. "They told you that he died, but he is still alive." There still was no answer. He decided to play some more with his emotions and greatest fears. "Come out with your little friends and we will not hurt you, only take you captive. If you still do not co-operate, I'll order my men to shoot, and I'll pluck that crystal out of your cold, dead fingers, as well as ordering your father's execution!"
Sheeta knew that it was a hard time for Makoto right now. If they were telling the truth, then his father was still alive. If they were lying…Then they would all suffer.
Everything that Makoto knew was conflicting within him for what seemed like eternity. Was there still a chance to save his father? But if he gave himself up…He would fail his duties and his honour. Father…You would know what to do! Please, tell me!
As his thoughts became chaotic and more tortured, he suddenly felt strong, rough hands grab his torso. He heard a voice saying, "You're a fool Makoto. Even if I knew the whereabouts of your father, would I tell you? Never!"